IRAK MASSACRE

Wairarapa Daily Times, 18 August 1933, Page 5

IRAK MASSACRE

■■ ▼ HOMELESS ASSYRIANS *■ REASON FOR REVOLT. e Press Association Electric Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, Thursday. Referring to the massacre of Assyrians by Irak forces dispatched to put down an insurgent movement, says that there are about 40,000 Assyrians, half of whom are homeless. Others are scattered about in temporary villages in tlie arid mountain area north of Mosul. They were bitterly disappointed when Geneva failed to safeguard them as a community when Irak was given independence. “The crux of the matter,” says the “Guardian,” “is that the Assyrians want an assurance that they will be allowed to live together for their own protection, ruled by their own archbishop, whereupon they will lay down their arms and swear loyalty to King Feisal, but the Irak Government demands their submission upon whatever, conditions the Government may impose.” ‘ ‘ The Times ’ ’ says that the Assyrians wore massacred near Simel. A British official visited several adjacent villages filled with panic-stricken women and children, and counted 315 dead, many within two miles of the local headquarters of the Irak army. They were apparently killed by the so-called “Irregular police.” The police scarcely doubt that Assyrian rebels who entered Syrian territory in July were responsible for the trouble. They promised to surrender their arms, but the small Irak detachment did not attempt to disarm them, whereupon they were attacked and destroyed. The Northern Irak commanded made a first reprisal, ordering a dozen Assyrian prisoners to be shot without trial, excusing himself on account of the indignation at the alleged mutilation of the dead. The British Charge d’Affaires at Bagdad has requested King Feisal to prevent such severities.