ARMISTICE SIGNED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 June 1941, Page 5

ARMISTICE SIGNED

END OF IRAQ REVOLT ALL LEADERS IN FLIGHT. TOGETHER WITH ENEMY MINISTERS. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright! LONDON, June 1. The Beirut correspondent of the British United Press reports that the Mayor of Bagdad yesterday announced the completion of an armistice "on good terms.” The armistice docs not mean that no more German aeroplanes and personnel will be able to go into action against Britain, but it does mean that the Iraqui participation is at an end. The German and Italian Ministers have fled to Iran • Persia), following the rebel leader Rashid Ali. British forces are reported to have reached the outskirts of Bagdad and to be penetrating the suburbs. According to an Ankara report, disturbances have broken out in Bagdad, and there is widespread looting. A communique from Bagdad today says the armistice which was requested at 6 p.m. yesterday . safeguards the country's unity and independence. It declares that the situation has returned to normal. The .blackout in Bagdad has been lifted, but no traffic is permitted after 9 p.m. All the leaders of the rebel movement have left Iraq, and the Grand Mufti and other Palestinian Arabs have also fled. The armistice was requested by the Iraqui rebels following the flight to Iran of Rashid Ali. accompanied by his Cabinet and Sherrill Sharaf, the false Regent. “DISPUTE WITH GERMANS.” It is pointed out in informed quarters in London that the granting of an armistice will clear up the situation as between the British and the rebels, and any further dispute in Iraq will be between the British and Germans, of whom there are still some in Iraq who might take action. The opinion is expressed that the gallant and determined valour of the British Imperial troops in Crete was a considerable factor in Germany’s failure to fan the Iraqui rebellion into something far bigger than it actually became.

Significance is attached to the action of Rashid Ali in leaving for Iran rather than trust himself to the protection of the Germans in Mosul, (one of the oil centres in northern Iraq), where he had been summoned by his Nazi masters.

The news contradicts a Rome radio report yesterday that Rashid Ali had arrived at Ankara.

The Bagdad radio said yesterday that the military governor of the city had former a Commission of Internal Security composed of city notables, and the commission had already ordered the dissolution of all semimilitary organisations, whose members must surrender their arms to the police and resume civilian clothes. It

had issued a proclamation exhorting the population to remain calm and disciplined, stating that all attempts to disturb public order would be piti- , lessly suppressed. A communique from the Commission of Internal Security said that King Feisal went to Iran with Rashid on May 30 and the military governor of Bagdad followed yesterday, for which reason, in the absence of any other responsible persons, the commission asked for an honourable armistice.

A correspondent, says the Mayor of Bagdad asked the British Ambassador for the armistice terms and discussions began immediately. The Mayor announced that it was the people’s wish that that Regent, Emir Abdul Illah, should enter the capital as soon as the armistice terms were agreed upon to set up a constitutional government in order to restore peace in Iraq. There is no confirmation in London of the reported kidnapping of the boy king. REGENT IN BAGDAD BOY KING REPORTED SAFE. MOSUL OILFIELDS SAID TO BE INTACT. LONDON, June 1. A Cairo message states that fighting in Iraq ceased at 8 o’clock this morning. Soon afterwards the Regent arrived in Bagdad by air, and was met by the President of the Iraqui Senate. The boy King Feisal, who earlier was reported to have been kidnapped, is understood to be sefe in Bagdad. The Mosul oilfields are said to be intact, and it is not likely there will be any more trouble in that area, since the Governor was oposed to the rebels from the beginning. A message from Beirut states that British bombers attacked the aerodrome at Aleppo, but this is not confirmed in London.