THE NEAR EAST

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17322, 23 May 1918, Page 5

THE NEAR EAST

AGREEMENT REGARDING DANUBE. ENTENTE REFUSES TO RECOGNISE. Tho Times. JASSY. May 21. jhe Entente Ministers have presented a Note to tho Rumanian Government declining to recognise tho new commission for the regulation of the navigation of the Danube, as constituted in the Rumanian peace treaties. The reason is based on the grounds that the Entento nations liavo an international established right to be consulted respecting such navigation. ADVANCE IN -MESOPOTAMIA. TURKS ABANDON A VULLAGE. Australian and N.Z. Cabin Aaaociation and Reutar. LONDON, Mav 21. (Received May 22, at 8 p.in.) Mesopotamia official: Our mounted forces on the Tigris have advanced as far as l'atha. The Turks abandoned the village after a little resistance, and retreated up the river. INSURRECTION IN ASIA MINOR. PUNITIVE TROOPS DESERT. Router's Telegrams. ATHENS, May 21. (Received May 22, at 8 p.rol) An insurrection, started at Aibin, in Asia Minor, _ is extending to Menemen (about 15 miles north of Smyrna). Two thousand Turkish troops sent to Manita to quell the disturbances deserted. Numerous desertions are also reported from the coast garrisons. IN MACEDONIA. ENEMY ARTILLERY ACTIVE. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. Reutor. LONDON, May 21. (Received May 22, at 9.30 p.m.) A French Eastern communique states: The enemy artillery violently bombarded the British trenches east of Doiran and our positions north-west of Progradec. NEW ZEALAND WIRELESS TROOP. FINE WORK IN MESOPOTAMIA. (Peb United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, May 23. The following has been addressed to tho Press Association from Bagdad, dated March 26: — Iho New Zealand wireless troop is still going strong in Mesopotamia, as is evidenced by the deoorations and promotions which the troop has gained. Sergeant Robinson (Awanui radio) has been awarded the Italian bronze medal, and Corporal Pearse (Wellington) the Meritorious Service Medal, whilst Captain Melville and Lieutenant M'Keown have received their promotion in the field. Captain Melville (late of Auckland and Rotorua) left New Zealand with the troop as a lance-corporal, and Lieutenant M'Keown (late of Wanganui) as a sergeant. The former was promoted to second lieutenant aiicr O.C. troop, and later gained his captamcy, whilst Lieutenant M'Keown was promoted to second lieutenant, and lat.er to first lieutenant. The troop is very proud of itself, and it is most gratifying to feel that its -work merited these distinctions. All are in good spirits, and are determined to keep their end up until a successful issue is reached.