REGENT IN IRAQ

Southland Times, Issue 24445, 27 May 1941, Page 5

REGENT IN IRAQ

“QUISLINGS ARE ON THE RUN” RASHID ALT’S FAMILY IN TURKEY LONDON, May 25. “Hitler’s Iraqi Quislings are on the run.” These words of one correspondent seem to sum up the position in Iraq. According to well-informed circles in Ankara almost a state of panic exists in Bagdad as the British are now reported to be only 16 miles away and German aid still remains the most slender. While the Ankara authorities are reported to deny that Rashid Ali has asked for a transit visa, M. Shawkat, his Minister of Defence, is expected to go to Turkey almost immediately and the families of both arrived in Ankara at the week-end. The Telegraph Exchange Agency’s Ankara correspondent says that Rashid Ali and M. Skawkat have received visas to enter Turkey. REGENT’S PROCLAMATION The Cairo correspondent of The Daily Mail says that Abdul Illah, the Regent, on his arrival in Iraq, accompanied by Iraqi notables, made this statement: “I am making this proclamation. As soon as I re-enter Bagdad at the head of my Iraqi troops announcing my return and the formation of a lawful government I am. certain of popular support. The troops have already begun to desert Rashid Ali. My aim is to free Iraq from those enemies of Britain who are also the enemies of Iraq because of the alliance between our two countries.”

The Turkish capital is buzzing with unconfirmed rumours that Rashid Ali has fled to Mosul, where he is establishing a new government and is seeking greater German help. It is rumoured that several of Rashid Ali’s generals have begun a counter-revolu-tion.

It is learned in London that Naji Suwaidi, the Iraq Minister of Finance, who reached Iran (Persia) some days ago allegedly on official business, brought his family with him. Moreover it is understood that Mohammed Ali Mahmud, Minister of Communications and Works, has now also reached Iran with his family. APPLICATION TO TURKEY According to the British United Press Ankara correspondent Rashid Ali and M. Shawkat, his Defence Minister, have applied for permission to cross Turkey. Rashid Ali’s latest communique issued in Damascus says that the Iraqis encountered motorized units coming from Transjordan. These, it claims, were forced to flee after a tough fight.

The Berlin radio states that Prince Samaseus, son of the Emir Abdullah of Transjordan, has left his father and is novz organizing volunteers to assist Rashid Ali.

The Iraqi Legation in Cairo confirms the revolt of Iraq tribesmen supporting Abdul Illah. Arab circles say that Abdul Illah has gone to Bagdad, leaving a former Prime Minister, General Janil-el-Nadfai to act for him at Basra and General Nur-i-Said representing him in another part of Iraq.

SYRIAN FRONTIERS CLOSED

LONDON, May 25.

French authorities in Syria state that all Syria’s frontiers have been closed, except the Syrian-Turkish frontier.

It is reported from Haifa that British planes flew over Syria and dropped leaflets signed by Colonel Collet calling on all loyal Frenchmen to rally to the Free French cause. Colonel Collet is at the head of a detachment of French troops which has marched into Palestine to join the Free French forces. The Jerusalem correspondent of The Times says that Colonel Collet, whose coming ovc? has caused such a sensation, is of Algerian birth and is one of modern France’s most distinguished soldiers. During the Great War he was mentioned 20 times in despatches and was wounded 12 times. He is the youngest commander of the Legion of Honour and his name is a household word both in North Africa and in Syria.

CAPTAIN ROOSEVELT BOMBED BY NAZIS LONDON, May 26. Apparently the Germans have made a dead set to get President Roosevelt’s eldest son, Captain James Roosevelt, who is visiting Iraq as an air observer, says the Cairo correspondent of the British United Press. Twice at Habbaniyah German planes attacked Captain Roosevelet’s car. On the first occasion three Heinkels swooped and rained bombs and the car was forced to turn back and dash to safety. Later, four Messerschmitts dived to 200 feet, spraying machine-gun bullets around the car. Captain Roosevelt jumped out and flung himself flat on the sand. In addition, Captain Roosevelt’s quarters were bombed and machine-gunned.