Mesopotamia

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXXI, Issue 19, 11 August 1920, Page 5

Mesopotamia

GENERAL ISLAMIC UNREST. ¥ THE ARABS AND TURKS, 'V Press Association—Copyright, Australian and N.Z Cable Association.' (Received 9.10 a.m.) Delhi, August 10. 'I he Kha’ifat Committee of India for organising opposition to the Turk, ish Peace was refused by the Government passports for a deputation it Avas proposed to send to Mesopotamia, Hedjaz, and other Islamic countries, yin View of the unrest preva’ent in these areas. Invesfgation shows that 1 the present disturbances: in Mesopotamia are due ‘to Sherifian propaganda directed from the borders of the new Arab Stafe, effectively seconded by Turkish agents operating from Kurdistan. The .Arab rational movement is making great, headway among Mesopotamian notables, particularly in Bagdad, Avhich jow supplies Damascus with some of its most conspicuous agitators. Details from Bagdad of the murder of a Brit’sh political officer, j Gaptam Corard, outside Tabriz, shows i that his carriage Avas surrounded by several hundred tribesmen, and the escort pf Persian Sowars fled. He put up a good fight for nearly two hours, but was finally shot dead, and his kit looted. Owing to the state of public order, It is improbable the Persian Government will be in a position to adequately punish the tribes concerned. ■ ' • 1 ’

Advices; ■from Bagdad state f a*; a column under Brigadier-General Coningham retnr. ing from Dewaniyah had reached Hill’a after dealing with the rebel villages en route. All the rolling stock of the railways in the disturbed area was secured. An ineffective attack was made by rebels on Mohmidiya on Saturday night. There, are ind cations that the rebels are demoralised and th© spread of disturbances is checked. Reinforcement; of troops from India have begun to reach- Basra. m < . I