MID-EASTERN UNREST.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16823, 23 August 1920, Page 3

MID-EASTERN UNREST.

PERSIAN REBELS DEFEATED,

MESOPOTAMIA SERIOUS. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. (Received August 23, 8.30 a.m.) DELHI, August 21. Severe fighting against the Bolsheviks and rebels in Persia continues, with further success to the British. While the British were attacking Kashin Enid Cossack forces made a detour by a mountain track further on the road to Monjil and captured six machine-guns and eighty prisoners. Thence the Cossacks proceeded to capture Menjil. The enemy are in full retreat to Resht. The British captured a Bed Cross nurse working a machine-gun. The situation in Mesopotamia is undoubtedly serious, but there is no need for excessive alarm. Attacks on our forces at Hillah and on tho Euphrates on Wednesday night were not pressed homo. Our detachments at Samawe and Kufa, though isolated, are in a satisfactory position and in good spirits. Wo have withdrawn from Pah to Ramadi, but the line is held by local levies under British ofiicers. The position there is satisfactory. Railway communication between Bagdad and Feluja and north of Bagdad is satisfactory. Tribesmen are massing at Baquaba, where we hold Marshall’s Bridge, by which the railway crosses the Diala. It 'will be some time before communication with Persia is restored. Some unrest exists in the Kirpeck division. Elsewhere all is quiet.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

OFFICERS DIE FIGHTING.' DELHI, August 20. Two British captains, Dregley (political officer) and Buchanan (irrigation officer) and two British sergeants are reported killed. The'officers, together with Arab levies at the post at Shahraban, offered a most gallant resistance against overwhelming numbers. They hold out for three days until all their ammunition was exhausted. The Arab levies remained loyal to the end, and died-fighting side by side with the British officers—Reuter. Lieut.-Colonel G. E. Leachman, who was murdered at Kufanauta, was the famous British traveller. His name was a household word from end to end of Arabia. He performed brilliant service as political officer from the beginning of the campaign.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.