GRIM SLAUGHTER OF ASSYRIANS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19571, 18 August 1933, Page 9

GRIM SLAUGHTER OF ASSYRIANS

FAILURE OF IRAQ REGIME GROWING CONCERN IN j BRITAIN United Press Association—By Electrlo Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, August 16. The Assyrians were massacred near Sim el. A British official visited several adjacent villages, which were filled with panic-stricken women and children. He counted 315 dead, many within two miles of the local headquarters of the Iraq army, apparently killed by the so-called irregular police. There is scarcely a doubt but the Assyrian rebels who entered Syrian territory in July, were responsible for the trouble.

They promised to surrender their arms, but a small Iraq detachment did not attempt to disarm them, whereupon they were attacked and destroyed.

The Northern Iraq commander made the first reprisal, ordering a dozen Assyrian prisoners to be shot without trial, excusing himself on account of indignation at the alleged mutilation of the dead. The British Charge d’Affaires at Bagdad requested King Feisel to prevent such severities. BRITISH CABINET CONCERNED MR MACDONALD S HURRIED RETURN TO LONDON United Press Association—By Electrlo Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, August 1«Mr Macdonald is returning to London from Lossiemouth. It is understood his sudden dash to London is due to the Government’s increasing anxiety regarding the Iraq massacres. There is difficulty in getting Iraq to expedite action against the offenders, and growing fears that delay might preiMdicially affect the Assyrian levies. IRAQ’S IRON HAND. ASSYRIANS DEMAND FREEDOM AND PROTECTION. United Press Association—By Electrlo Telegraph—Copyright (Received August 17, 11.20 p.m.) ■The Manchester Guardian,” referring to the Assyrian massacre, says: "There are about 40.000 Assyrians, half of whom are homeless. Others are scattered about in temporary villages in an arid mountain area, north of Mosul. They were bitterly disappointed when Geneva failed to safeguard them as a community, when Iraq was given independence. The crux of the matter is that the Assyrians want an assurance that they will be allowed to live together for their own protection, and be ruled by their own archbishop. If this is conceded, they will lay down their arms and swear loyalty to King

Feisal, but the Iraq Government demands their submission upon whatever conditions the Government may impose.”