THE MIDDLE EAST.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 12017, 25 March 1920, Page 5

THE MIDDLE EAST.

United Press Association—-By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. London, March SB. In the House of Commons Mr Churchill said the situation in the Middle East was very anxious, but so far not so formidanle in practice as it had seemed in prospect. Nevertheless the situation was acute. As regards Mesopotamia there were three causes for anxiety; first, the Turkish Nationalist Government uhder Muatapha Kemal; secondly, the Arabs who had been disturbed by the occupation of Syria and are now inclined for the first time, in many days, to make common cause with the Turkish . Nationalists ; thirdly, the Bolsheviks. The destruction of anti-Bolshevik forces was proceeding to a very marked extent and very soon the Bolshevik military power would extend over the whole of those great regions north of the Caucasus and beyond the Caspian quite unchesked by any Russian force. Loudon, March %3. Mr Churchill continued : With the fall of the Caspian Sea which must occur when the ice cf Volga has melted, and the Bolsheviks can descend the river, the Bolsheviks will bo in close touch with the doubtful Republic of Azerbaya and the Republic of Georgia, also with hostile forces under Mustapha Kemal. On military grounds this junction will b« formidable. He thought it probable that the Bolsheviks will use their advantage to spread their propaganda as widely as possible, rather than follow it up in a strictly military sense. It is therefore obvious that the whole position in the Middle East causes, great anxiety and requires the maintenance of strong forces there. He hoped however it will be possible to effect economy in that theatre in the course of the year by holding Mesopotamia, primarily through the agency of the Air rather than the military forces. We could not continue holding the country and spending fifteen to twenty millions yearly thereon. He saw no reason why British statecraft should be bankrupt in Mesopotamia when it is so successful in other parts. He instanced tne Sudan where there is only one white battalion. He was not prepared to. propose that we should march about Mesopotamia holding the people down by military force, nor had he ever pretended that when we received the mandate we should immediately occupy and dominate every square mile of the country on the first day. Other methods must be devised if we are to continue to keep Mesopotamia. He instanced the process in West Africa where British political influence had gradually permeated the whole country and brought great areas under successful control. That is the line which we are working now regarding Mesopotamia. Referring to Germany and the state of affairs there he said it was causing the greatest anxiety from the military standpoint. It ought to policy of Government by all means in its power to enable a moderate German Government to maintain itself as a living entity enabling under its aegis and under its Organisation the productive activities and prosperity of the (german people to revive