MESOPOTAMIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 September 1920, Page 5

MESOPOTAMIA.

SITUATION STILL BAD, RAIDS TO CLEAR AGITATORS. By Telegraph.—Pres3 Assn.—Copyright, Received Sept. 4, 5.5 pan. Delhi, Sept. 3. The situation inside Bagdad is still acute, but the bazaars are being cleared of agitators by periodical raids. Rumors are persistently spread about the cofl'ee shops that the railway has been cut everywhere, and Bagdad is isolated, which causes occasional trouble in the bazaars. Trains, however, continue to run regularly. Reinforcing battalions from Basra are reaching Bagdad daily. The making of the railway to the Persian frontier was done by gangs previously employed by the British as labor corpe. Supplies and messages continue to be delivered in Knfa by aeroplanes.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. DEFENDING BAGDAD. RAILWAY TO PERSIA CUT. Received Sept. G, 110 a.m. Delhi, Sept. 5. The city of Bagdad and adjoining military cantonments are now defended by a ring of blockhouses, so arranged as to prevent excursions my marauding bands. The railway to Hillah, Kut, ahd Baqubah is guarded by similar blockhouses. The construction of these made it possible to release more troops for active operations, and greatly contributed to the maintenance of public confidence. The railway to Persia has been cut between Kizii, Robat and Basqubah. British families in a rest camp at Karind are safe, and they'have ample supplies. The line will be restored shortly. The political officer at Kiseri, who was taken prisoner last week, was murdered by tribesmen. It was necessary to withdraw the civil officers from Sukaeeh and Surjukh on the lower Euphrates. Elsewhere there is no change.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.