MESOPOTAMIA

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 270, 9 August 1920, Page 5

MESOPOTAMIA

SITUATION INCREASINGLY SERIOUS REBELS FIFTY MILES FROM BAGDAD (By Telegraph-Press AssocUtiori-Copyrilfut Delhi, August 6. Tho situation in Mesopotamia is increasingly serious. The rebels are only fifty miles from Bagdad. All railway communication with Basra has ceased, and tho tribesmen command the rivor approaches to Bagdad by way of the Lower Euphrates, and communication with the city is difficult. A Bagdad message 6tates that all responsible elements in the city unite in urging tho Government to take drastic steps against the extremist leaders of tho tribes, to whose efforts alone, with Hie help of the Sliereelian Government, the present disturbances aie due. The tribesmen are nervous as to the result of thiiir intrigues, which they fear will prove the deathblow to the hopes of an Arab Government. They fear, also, that-French action in-Syria will be followed by similar action by Great Britain. Troops and transports have left India for Basra.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ARAB ATTACKS BEATEN OFF. (Rec. August 9, 0.20 a.m.) Delhi, August 7. The column returning from Diwaniyah, under General Coningham, has reached Jarbuiyah. The Arabs made, elaborate arrangements to prevent the colunTn reaching Jarbuiyah. An attack was beaten off by the Deccan infantry. Tho Arabs left seventy dead. The Ghurkas had hand-to-hand fighting in the palm groves and villages. A final concentration of two thousand tribesmen, with banners flying, 'was successfully dispersed by gunfire. Tho total Arab casualties were very heavy. Ours wero about twenty.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

BRITISH PRISONERS WELL TREATED. (Rec. August 8, 11.5 p.m.)

London, August 7. The War Office has reason to believe that the Arabs are treating British prisoners woll.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Aesn.

SETTING UP NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

FIRST STEPS TAKEN BY BRITAIN. (Rec. August 9, 0.20 a.m.)

Delhi, August 7. The first step towards the sotting up of national institutions in Mesopotamia, in compliance with Great Britain's mandate obligations, was taken in Bagdad on August fi, when nineteen former deputies were summoned from various parts of the country by the present British administration. Their functions will be to frame proposals for a provisional electoral Jaw, under which members will 'be elected to the General Assembly, which will frame an organised law for the country. This Assembly will also provide a source to which the administration may turn for atlvico connected with the welfare .and futuro of tho country.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. .'