IRAQ

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 19 August 1933, Page 7

IRAQ

MASSACRE OF ASSYRIANS SEVEN HUNDRED KILLED BY IRREGULARS AND TRIBESMEN (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, 17th August. Mr MacDonald returned to Lossiemouth this evening. This morning lie was in consultation with Sir Robert Vansittart, permanent Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, and Captain Eden, regarding current international questions. This afternoon Mr MacDonald received Sir Francis Humphrys, British Ambassador in Iraq, with'whom he discussed the Assyrian situation in Northern Iraq. Information in London indicates that the band of rebellious Assyrians who had fled into Syria, re-crossed the Tigris into Iraq and attacked Iraq army detachments. The fighting was unfortunately followed by excesses against Assyrian villages by Kurdish irregulars and Bedouin tribesmen. Seven hundred Assyrians are reported killed. Neighbouring villages are crowded with panic-stricken women and children, whose condition is pitiable. Sir Francis Humphrys is returning at once to Baghdad by air to use friendly offices in the crisis, and pending his return King Feisal is reported to have postponed his intended visit to Switzer--1 Iraq was admitted to membership of the League of Nations last October, when the British mandate terminated, and the British responsibilities in Iraq ceased. There is, however, a treaty of alliance between Britain and Iraq.

LEAGUE MEETING

■STRONG CRITICISM PROBABLE

("TimeiT Cables)

LONDON, 18th August. _ ! ‘The Times” in a leader states it is anticipated there will be strong references to the deplorable events in Iraq at Geneva in September when the British official optimism is likely to be as much criticised as the Arab negligence. “The Times” declares that the Iraq Government’s best defence is to deal severely with officers and officials whose violence has injured its reputation, and immediately make restitution to the innocent communities which suffered violence and spoliation. r £he Government erred in detaining the patriarch Marshinum, because lie encouraged liis wilder followers to undertake a hairbrained march into French Syria, which led to the disasters. The League of Nations, which in 1925 mistaken y refused to include the Assyrians homeland in Iraq, can still repair the error and assist the Assyrians to find new homes in Syria and elscwhcie.