STILL ACUTE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10687, 6 September 1920, Page 6

STILL ACUTE

SITUATION IN BAGDAD ALARMIST REPORTS AGGRAVATE MATTERS. By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received September 4, 5.5 p.m.) SIMLA, September 3. The situation inside Bagdad is still acute, but tho bazaars are being cleared of agitators by periodical raids. Rumours are persistently being spread about the coffee shops that the railway has been cut everywhere, and that Bagdad is isolated, which causes occasional trouble in the bazaars. The trains, however, continue to run.regularly, and reinforcing battalions from Basra aro reaching Bagdad daily. The wrecking of the railway to tho Persian frontier was dono by gangs previously employed' by the British as a labour corps. ' , Messages continue to bo delivered in Kufa by aeroplanes.

THE LATEST NEWS

(Received September 6, 1.10 a.m.) ■ DELHI, September 5.

The City ,of Bagdad and adjoining military cantonments are now defended by a ring of blockhouses so arranged as to prevent excursions by marauding bands. -The railway to Hillah, Kut, and Baqubah is guarded by similar blockhouses on the line. Tho construction of these made it possible to release more troops for active operations and greatly contributed to the maintenance of public confidence. The railway to Persia is cut between Kizil, Robat, -and , Baqubah. British families in tho rest camp at Karind are safe, and have ample supplies. Tho line will be restored shortly. The political officer at Kiseri, who was taken prisoner last week, was murdered by tribesmen. It was necessary to withdraw the civil officials from Sukaeeh and Shuxjukh, on the lower Eupharates. Elsewhere there is no change.