ASIAN TURMOIL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16797, 22 July 1920, Page 3

ASIAN TURMOIL.

MESOPOTAMIAN MEASURES. BRITISH SYRIAN INTERESTS. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. LONDON, Juty 20. In the House of Commons, Mr. 'Winston Churchill (Secretary for War)' stated that larger reinforcements were ordered droni India to Mesopotamia, and the Commander-in-Chlef in Meso : pofamia wasgfully authorised to take any measures for concentration or contraction that the situation required. Therefore there was no reason for anxiety in regard to the general safety of the garrisons. A small force at Rurrihila was still holding out, being supplied from the air. In moving the adjournment in order to 'discuss the immediate changes to British interests arising out _of the threatening hostilities in Syria, Captain 01-msby Gore vigorously criticised the Government. He declared the supreme British interest in the Middle East, as elsewhere, was the restoration of peace, which alono would permit of political freedom and economic prosperity. The French ultimatum would inevitably, entail the employment of further British troops and money. Mr. Bonar Law, replying, -pointed out that Franco accepted the Syrian mandate at the San Remo Conference, Feisul consenting. French troops had been massacred and other outrages committed. .Interference on the part of the House of Commons would be equivalent to interference by the French Chamber with out action against the lawless Arabs in Mesopotamia. France had not violated her mandate in Syria. Britain meant to honour her promise to the Arabs and France. Mr. Bonar Law declared that France had no intention of permanent military occupation after the mandate was accepted and order restored. ; That was our own policy in Mesopotamia. —AusN.Z. Cable Assn, ' FRENCH FIGHTING ARABS. (Received July 22 , 9.50 a.m.i PARIS, July 21. • Owing to Feisal’s reply being unsatisfactory, French operations against the Arabs have probably already begun.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn, '