MESOPOTAMIA

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 255, 22 July 1920, Page 5

MESOPOTAMIA

THE BRITISH POLICY FRANCE'S MANDATE IN SYRIA (By Telegraph-Press Ajsooiation-Oopyrlltfc* (Rec. July 21, 11.15 p.m.) London, July 20, Mr. TV. S. Churchill (Secretary of State for War) slated that larger reinforcements had been ordered from India to Mesopotamia. The Ccjnmandor-in-Chief in Mesopotamia was fully authorised to take any measures for concentration or contraction that the situation required; therefore there was no reason for anxiety in regard to the general safety of the garrisons. The small force at Rumeita was still holding out, and was being supplied from the air. In moving the adjourmnont in OTder to discuss the immediate danger to British interests arising out of the threatened hostilities in Syria, Captain Ormsby-Gore vigorously criticised the Government. He declared that the supremo British interest in the Middle East, as elsewhere, was the restoration of peace, which alone would permit politicail freedom and economic prosperity. The French' ultimatum would inevitably entail the employment of further British troop 3 and money. Mr. Bonar Law, replying, pointed out that France had accepted, the Fyrian mandate at the San Itemo Conference, Emir Feisul consenting. French troops had been massacred and other outrages oommitted. Interference on the part of the House of Commons would be equivalent to interference by the French Chamber of Deputies with our action against the lawless Arabs in Mesopovamia. France had not violated her mandate in Syria. .Britain meant to hono:ir her promise to the Arabs, and France, replying to our questions, declared that she had no intention of permanent military occupation after the mandate had been accepted and_ order restored. That was our own policy in Mesopotamia.— | lieuter.