NAZIS FOILED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20570, 2 June 1941, Page 5

NAZIS FOILED

PLOT IN IRAQ FLIGHT OF REBELS RETURN OF REGENT SECURITY .COMMISSION Elec. Tel. Copyilsht—United Press Assn.) ißecd. June 2, 9 a.m.) LONDON, June 1. An armistice was requested by the Iraq rebels following the flight to Iran of Raschid All, accompanied by members of his Cabinet and Sheriff Sharaf, the false regent. It is pointed out in informed quarters in London that the granting of an armistice clears up the situation between the British and the rebels, and any further dispute in Iraq will be between the British authorities and tne Germans, of whom there are still some in Iraq who might take action. The opinion is expressed that the gallant and determined valour of the British Imperial troops in Crete was a considerable factor in Germany’s failure to fan the Iraq rebellion into something far bigger than it actually became.

Significance is attached to the action of. Raschid Ali is leaving for Iran rather- than trust himself to the protection of the Germans in Mosul, where he had been summoned by his Nazi masters.

The German and Italian Ministers have also left Baghdad, which is now under the control of a committee of four, of which the Mayor is the chief. The Baghdad radio to-day states that the military governor had formed a Commission of Internal Security, composed of city notables. The commission has already ordered the dissolution of all semi-military organisations whose members must .surrender arms to the police and resume civilian clothes. It has issued a proclamation exhorting the population to remain calm and disciplined. All attempts to disturb public order will be pitilessly suppressed. Safeguarding Unity

A communique from Baghdad says the armistice became effective as from 6 p.m. yesterday. The armistice safeguards the country’s unity and independence, says the communique, which adds that the situation has returned to normal. The black-out at Baghdad has been lifted, but no traffic is permitted after 9 p.m.

All the leaders of the rebel movement have left Iraq. The Grand Mufti and other Palestinian Arabs have also fled.

A communique from the Commission of Internal Security said that the young King Feisal, whose sixth birthday fell on May 2, went to Iran with Raschid Ali on Friday. The military governor of Baghdad followed yesterday, for which reason, in the absence of any other responsible persons, the commission asked for an honourable armistice. There is no confirmation in London of a report that the boy King was kidnapped. The Cairo correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says the Mayor of Baghdad asked the British Ambassador for armistice terms and discussions began immediately. The Mayor announced it was the people’s wish that the Regent, the Emir Abdul Illah, should enter the capital as soon as the armistice terms were agreed upon and set up a constitutional Government in order to restore peace in Iraq. “On Good Terms” The Beirut correspondent of the British United Press reported yesterday that the Mayor of Baghdad had announced the completion of an armistice “on good terms.” It is pointed out that the armistice does not mean that no more German aeroplanes and personnel will be able to go into action against Britain, but it does mean that Iraqi participation will end.

The British forces were reported yesterday to have reached the outskirts of Baghdad and were penetrating the suburbs. According to an Ankara report disturbances broke out in Baghdad with- widespread looting. Reports received late on Friday stated that the revolt in Iraq virtually ended with the flight of Raschid Ali. The British forces approaching Baghdad had been held up more by floods than by armed resistance. Southern Iraq was quiet and it only remained to wipe up the north, where the insurgents were few. German airmen still held the pipeline, which the Germans undoubtedly would damage before departing. The revolt obviously went off at halfcock. Germany intended it to begin after strengthening her position in the eastern Mediterranean, but Raschid Ali lit the fuse too soon and the British prevented the arrival of German reinforcements. Moreover, General Blomberg’s accidental death deprived the Germans of their organiser at Baghdad.

The Royal Air Force l dropped thousands of leaflets on Baghdad on Thursday proclaiming the return ol the Regent, Abdul Illah, appealing to citizens to fight against the German hirelings.

Prisoners taken at Fallujah revealed the growing lack of enthusiasm among the rebels, many of whom declared that they were misled. The insurgents were also feeling 7 the lack of petrol, especially after the Royal Air Force on Thursday destroyed their principal dump near Baghdad.