FAITH IN ALLIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 August 1942, Page 3

FAITH IN ALLIES

DECLARED BY PREMIER OF IRAQ COUNTRY READY TO FIGHT. IF GERMANS BREAK THROUGH CAUCASUS. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) BAGDAD, August 22. The Prime Minister, General Nuri es Said, stated: “I do not think that the Germans will attempt to break through the Caucasus Mountains, but if they do and reach our frontiers Ave shall declare war and fight for the Allies.” He added that Iraq’s military defences were good and Iraq had full faith in Turkey, who would not allow aggression to go unchallenged. “We are also confident that our Allies will hold the Egyptian front,” he added. “Something must have gone wrong there last June, but military mistakes occur in every campaign. We are greatly encouraged by the arrival of British and American reinforcements to the Middle East. We are most grateful for the support we are receiving from the Middle East Supply Board, which is helping us to solve cur economic problems.” The Prime Minister blamed Gandhi’s weakness and insincerely for India’s troubles. “I advise Gandhi to ask the Japanese to withdraw from China and elsewhere before asking Britain to withdraw from India,” he said. “Then both his and Japanese sincerity will be proved.”