IN PERSIA.

Evening Star, Issue 16050, 29 February 1916, Page 6

IN PERSIA.

GERMAN INTRIGUE. INRUSH OF SPIES. A MISSIONARY’S STORY. SYDNEY, February 29. (Received February 29, at 9.30 a.m.) Miss Stuart, daughter of the late Bishop Stuart, formerly of Waiapu and latterly head of the Church' Missionary Society at Ispahan, lias arrived after spending 21 years in Persia. Miss Stuart tells a remarkable story of German intrigue, their machinations causing the missionaries to leave. “The Persians were absolutely friendly,” she said, “ but the German propaganda, in addition to the efforts of the democratic revolutionaries, are taking effect, and unless the Russians are able to send a strong force and restore order the country might be found in the throes of internecine strife, which would result to Germany’s advantage. “The irruption of Germans into Persia was so rapid and well planned that it was undoubtedly part of a pre-arranged programme. Before ibe war there was scarcely a German in the country, but they have since overrun it, sowing dissension everywhere. The first German who arrived was supposedly interested in carpets. His manner was suave, and his pockets were bulging with English gold, which ho spent lavishly, and he was the pioneer of a brigade of spies. “ India is tho real objective of the German activity in Persia. The native Press arc controlled by Germans, and the Shah, a mere boy, is a puppet in the hands of the Government, although he personally is friendly to the Allies.

“ Ispahan, was evacuated T>v all 35ritish and Russian subjects in 'September last owing to tho trouble fomented by the Germans, They were responsible for the assassination of the head of the Russian Bank and the attempt on the life of the British Consul, as well as for most of the trouble fomented in Southern Persia. Tho allied residents of Yezd (Central Persia) are having an uncomfortable time, and tidings of them aro being anxiously awaited. “ In Teheran everything was quiet, although the Swedish officers of gendarmerie suspected of being pro-Gorman. We at Kerman received word at tho end of December to seek a safer abode, and 23 British subjects, the Russian Consul with six Cossacks, and 20 Armenians journeyed to the coast on nuilos, camels, and donkeys, escorted by 75 troops. We took 25 days to reach Bunder Abbas, whore we caught a transport returning to Bombay.”" TRANSPORT COMING IN MARCH. “ Our Own” wires from Christchurch ; —A transport is due at Dunedin on March 15 from Egypt with a number of sick and wounded .soldiers. TENTH REINFORCEMENTS. r [lm Governor will review the Tenth Reinforcements at Wellington on Wednesday afternoon. PATRIOTIC AND RECRUITING COMMITTEE. The above committee mob yesterday, there being present Lieutenant-colonel Stoneham (in tho chair), tho Mayor (Mr J. J. Clark), Archdeacon Fitchett, Messrs jR- S. Black, H. ri. White,. J. Brown, j J. M'George, J. Ruston, R-. W. Glendininj, J, Evans, H. Reeves, A G. Fenwick, 11, S. Fenwick, 0. G. White, J, MTiguc, A. Milan, J. R. Burt, Private Cameron, Lance-corporal M'Donald, Mesdanies Beaumont, Mackie, and Park. The Otago Soldiers and Dependents’ Welfare Committee wrote suggesting Tuesday, 29th insb., for n meeting with members of their executive.— I The Secretary reported that this matter had been arranged. Mr F. Hilgendorf, Waitati, wrote stating that a social would be held at Waitati on Friday, March 10.—It was left to the chairman to arrange for a speaker. Tho .Right Hon. W. P. Massey wrote stating that tho Fourteenth Reinforcements would bo called up for trainincr on itarch. 6, and urging tho committee to concentrate all their efforts on securing a full quota.—Received. Mivß. AV. Glendining reported that 14 recruits had been obtamed for tho week ended February 26, while fivo recruits were obtained at the Town Hall on Saturday evening. The Mayor reported that tho City Council had undertaken to prepare the lists as required by the new recruiting scheme, lb was resolved—“ That this committee express their willingness to co-operate with the City Council in carrying out tho now recruiting scheme as submitted by the Government to the Oily Council and tliis committee.” It was decided to appoint six members to meet six members of the City Council to organise and carry out the new recruiting scheme, as submitted by tho Government. Lieutenant-colonel .Stoneham, Messrs A. G. Fenwick, R. W. Glendining, J. Ruston, J. M'Georgc, and Lance-cor-poral M‘Donald were appointed to represent the Recruiting Committee. The returned soldiers advised that they would be bolding a recruiting meeting on Friday evening.—Received with thanks. It was decided to hold a recruiting meeting.omHatOTdayrevcnijag,

PRISONERS OF WAR. {SPKCrMi TO THR ' StAB.M WELLINGTON, February 29. A communication received by the Minister of Defence slates that the British Wav Office has written to the Bulgarian Government regarding the treatment of ■British officers and men who may become prisoners of war. The British communication suggested that Bulgaria should accord prisoners the same treatment that Turkey provided. Turkey pays officers that have become prisoners of war in her hands 4s to 4s 6d a day, out of which they have to pay for food, and clothing. on-commissioned officers and men receive no pay, but are given food and clothing. It may not be generally known that the expenditure incurred by anv nation in the treatment of prisoners of war is a matter for settlement after the close of tho conflict. Tlie British nation will be required'under international law to reimburse Germans, Turks, etc., for tho expense of maintaining British prisoners of war. Britain, in him, will have bills to present to the enemies. MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS. Medical examinations are conducted nightly (Saturday excepted) at 7.45 at the Kensington Drill Hall. Tho following have been passed fit:— Thomas field Hughes, farrier, Dunedin. At“ Dean, la-borer, Dunedin. William Patterson, farm'laborer, Dunedin. •loseph Dyer, tram conductor, lloslyu, Francis Clarence AVatsnn, plumber, Port Chalmers. William Charles Hayward, traveller, Maori Hill. William-Davidson. Ferguson, farmer St Hilda. William Byrne, laborer. Fast Taieri. ’I he Strath Taieri Caledonian Society -Middlemarch, as a result of th-s a.um.a! -sports on January o, have been enabled to transmit £29 10s to tho wounded sold ids’ fund. The society are indebted'to the following for their assistance:—Mesdames D. Fisher, A. S. Williams. R. Valentine. MFarlane, K. Robertson, T. Ure, Misses Gamble, Ron wick, Morrison, M'Bratnev, Carlsons, M. Fisher, Wilson, James. Tho following competitors returned their winnings, amounting to £5 Us:—D. Cameron, G. Pea t, J. M. Beal tie, T. Ross, R,. Hausson, H. Moyiiihan, F. Anders;m, j’ Bottang. J, Morton, J. O’Neill, .Miss R. Robertson, and two anonymous.. Donations in cash were contributed by .Mr J as . Muir (£5 ss), Mrs Jas. Dunsnmir (£3 3s) Mr John Roberts (£2 2s), Mr Alex. Robertson (13s 6d), Mr 11. Scott (7s 6d) Mr W. Scoullar (7s 6d), Messrs Lane and Co. (7s od), «incl Air 33. l*ishcr (3<<). Services were given free by the Middle.march Brass Kami and all the officials, who purchased members’ tickets as usual. The A. and R. Society gave tho use of tho grounds .* in d tho Caledonian Society defrayed too incidental expenses (nearly £5) from the general funds. Messrs Alex. Thompson and Sons gave tho use of Allies’ Hags <m sports day, and Mr J. Beaker also com tnbuted his ioe Jor tho ball music ‘while many others niateriallv assisted. ‘