BOLSHEVIKS SEIZING PERSIAN FOODSTUFFS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2029, 16 August 1920, Page 7

BOLSHEVIKS SEIZING PERSIAN FOODSTUFFS.

.;•! PLOT TO STARVE POPULACE INTO SUBMISSION, £t (A. & N.Z.) (Rec. August 16, 8.40 a.m.) DELHI, August 14. * It is reported from North Persia that the Bolsheviks seized huge stocks of rice and exported the greater portion to Russia. Indirect assistance in the shape of munitions of war has been received in return. « The Bolsheviks are endeavouring to obtain control of all foodstuffs, with a view to starving the population into joining the so-called Persian National Army. They have also imposed a fine of £IOO,OOO on the town of Resht. British troops successfully engaged Bolshevik Jangali forces at Yuzbasehiehai on the Kasvin-Resht Road. ORDER GRADUALLY RETURNING IN MESOPOTAMIA. (A. & N.Z.) (Rec. August 16, 8.40 a.m.) DELHI, August 15. Advices from Mesopotamia state that a British column from llilhah occupied Maisaiyab, after some resistance. The tribesmen are making isolated attacks on various places, but concerted action appears to have ceased. A column operating in the neighbourhood of Baqubah met With some resistance. Reinforcements have been sent to Mesopotamia, consisting of three infantry brigades, each containing three Indian battalions, one field artillery brigade, and the usual auxiliary troops. MILLIONS INVOLVED IN FALL OF PONZI. CROWDS OP VICTIMS CLAMOUR OUTSIDE CLOSED OFFICES. (Reuter.) (Ree. August 10, 8.40 a.m.) NEW YORK, August 14. Investigations are proving the wide ramifications of the business of Ponzi (who has been charged with using the post for purposes of fraud). His net losses are estimated to be possibly as high as £5,000,000. Several leading officials in Ponzi's company have been arrested. Huge crowds continue clamouring in the vicinity of the offices of companies involved in the failure. A crowd stormed the offices of the Old Colony Company, demanding the lynching of the president, whom the police spirited away. The other officials fled, the crowd pursuing them. The Polish Industrial Association, whose business is hopelessly involved in Ponzi's affairs, has been compelled to close, owing several millions to small holders. A remarkable feature is that Ponzi obtained the bulk of his money after the officials had begun an investigation into his methods. The bondsmen who bailed Ponzi for £SOOO later surrendered him to the authorities, apparently fearing his flight. SEVERAL VOLLEYS FIRED IN DUBLIN STREET. PETTY ANNOYANCE OF SOLDIERS LEADS TO TROUBLE, (A. & N.Z.) (Rec. August 16, 9 a.m.) LONDON, August 15. A party of soldiers in Dublin last night was subjected to petty annoyances by a crowd. Finally the soldiers fired volleys along the street. Several persons were wounded, as well as a soldier. Reinforcements restored order. SINN FEIN OBTAINS REVENUE FROM ILLICIT STILLS. ("Times.") (Rec. August 10, 12.5 p.m.) LONDON, August 15. Recent raids made on illicit stills in Ireland were a preliminary to Sinn Fein control of the trade, following upon the general cessation of the Government's attempts to suppress illicit manufacture. It is now reported that the Sinn Feiners are issuing licenses for the manufacture of poteen, thus providing a new source of revenue.