MIDDLE EAST.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17062, 5 February 1921, Page 9

MIDDLE EAST.

MESOPOTAMIAN MANDATE. (Bv Cable—Presß Association— Copyright.) ("Tho Time*.") LONDON, February 3. The draft of the British Mandate oyer Mesopotamia, which will be submitted to the League of Nations ior approval, is extraordinarily ambiguous and involved. Its main provisions aro that there shall be no discrimination against foreign States securing a share in ou enterprises. All nations are to bei placed on the same footing a.-; regards freedom of religion and education. Great Britain is made responsible tor foreign relations, defence, and maintenance of tlho present frontiers. LONDON, February 3. Referring to tho terms of tho British mandate in Mesopotamia, which compels Britain to retain a largo force of troops, but does not permit her to discriminate against foreign countries, in regard to the exploitation of resources, Lord Sydenham says that if Britain has to bear the treme'ndous cost and Responsibility, it is monstrous that should be expected to share tho trade rights with every other country. It also would be a dangerous step to hand over tho Government to tho Arabs. Lord Robert Cecil also thinks tho mandate does not give protection against concession hunters. BOLSHEVIKS AND PERSIA. (Renter's Telerrams-) DELHI, February 3. An encounter between British forces and the Bolsheviks took place at Nnglobargilan. Twelve Bolsheviks were killed and seven captured. There were no British casualties.