WELL IN HAND

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 May 1941, Page 6

WELL IN HAND

SITUATION IN IRAQ ACCORDING TO MIDDLE EAST COMMUNIQUE. GARRISON AT HABBANIA INTACT. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.55 a.m.) RUGBY, May 5. It is understood that the Turkish Government has been prepared to attempt mediation in the situation which has arisen in Iraq through the repudiation by Rashid Ali of Iraqui obligations under the AngloIraq Treaty and the action taken by certain elements in the Iraqui Army and Air Force. As far as the British Government is concerned, it is obvious that the withdrawal of the troops which have menaced and attacked the aerodrome at Habbania would be an essential prerequisite to any discussions. In the meantime, a communique issued from British headquarters in the Middle East this afternoon shows that the British forces in Iraq have the situation well in hand. This communique states: “Iraqui artillery, posted in the vicinity of Habbania, was rendered comparatively inactive yesterday by our aircraft. The garrison of Habbania is intact and has suffered very few casualties from the unprovoked Iraqui attack. The greater part of the Iraqui Air Force has already been destroyed by our air action, citlier while attempting to attack British camps or as the result of attack by our Air Force on Iraqui air bases. After attacking an unarmed British construction party which was in the vicinity, Iraqui forces on May 2 occupied Rutba. “In the Basra area our troops remain in occupation without interference.” The Treasury has made an order excluding Iraq from the sterling area.

CONCERN IN TURKEY REPORTED CRITICISM OF BRITAIN. FEARS OF GERMAN ACTION IN SYRIA. (Received This Day, 12.20 p.m.) LONDON, May 5. “The Times’ Ankara correspondent says Turkey is gravely concerned about the British-iraqui clash. It threatens, at least temporarily, the loss of the railway to Basra, which since the war spread in the Mediterranean, has been the most important route for Turkish trade. There was also serious anxiety that, if the conflict continues, Germany will get a footing on yet another Turkish frontier. The Turks are irritated because they think the British could have prevented the situation. They do not understand why the British were content until this late hour to entrust vitally important strategical centres to people whose politics were mainly selfish and dishonest intrigue. The Turks are of the opinion that the time to' send troops to Iraq was when there was a friendly Government in power. They believe that if the trouble is not quickly settled the Germans will intervene, using Syrian air bases. The Syrians one day are for the British and the next day for the Germans, according to the fluctuations of the war. Official Turkish circles do not expect trouble from Iran. The authority of the Shah is high and pro-German sentiment there is primarily a reaction to Soviet pressure.

NAZI REPORT BRITISH BANKS SEIZED. (Received This Day, 11.47 a.m.) LONDON, May 5. The German News Agency, quoting a Beirut message, says the Iraq authorities on May 1 put English banks under control, all British accounts being blocked The Berlin Radin says a British cruiser and destroyer have arrived at Basra. An Iraq communique, issued in Bagdad, stated that forces encircling Habbania Aerodrome were closing in. Explosions and fires had been seen as a result of artillery fire.