PERSIA'S PLIGHT.

Mataura Ensign, 29 December 1911, Page 6

PERSIA'S PLIGHT.

FIGHTING AT TABRIZ. THE WOUNDED CONSUL. B1 ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.—COPYRIGHT. PER UNITED PRESS ASSOOiAiHiM TEHERAN, Dec. 28. Fighting at Tabriz has recommenced. Five people in the Russisan Consulate were killed and four were wounded. Mr Smart (a British Consul) is lying wounded outside Kazerun, and medical aid has been sent. His escort consisted of 50 sowars and 50 others from Shiraz had joined them. The assailants numbered 800 Kashgar tribesmen. A force of 100 sowars has been sent to relieve a party of Kazerun infantry at .Task. All the available ships have been ordered to Bushire. The sending of a British punitive expedition is thought likely. Southern Persia is in a state of ferment and insurrection. RUSSIAN FLAG HOISTED. ST. PETERSBURG. Dec. 28. Two telephone lines connecting Tabriz with Julfa have been cut. Two hundred Caucasion have fled with the intention of crossing the Russian frontier. A company of Russian rifles is quartered at the citadel at Tabriz, and the Russian flag has been hoisted. A company of the Fifth Chaswurs and an artillery detachment forced their way skirmishing through the suburbs of Tabriz to join the Russian encampment there. RUSSIA'S STERN MEASURES. ST. PETERSBURG, Dec. 28. It is semi-officially stated that owing to Persia's inability to chastise those guilty of acts of foolhardy aggression and brutal tortures and outrages against Russians at Tabriz, Resht and Enzeli Russian commanders have been instructed to adopt in concert with the Russian Consuls the most stringent measures of punishment, and to remove once for all the causes of such acts. The measures include trial by court-martial of all Russian and Persian participators in attacks on troops, the disarmament of the Fidias and other troublesome unlive elements, and the destruction of places where resistance might be offered Other steps may likewise be taken if necessary.