IN MESOPOTAMIA

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160723, 9 August 1920, Page 2

IN MESOPOTAMIA

BRITAIN FULFILLING OBLIGATIONS. DELHI, August 7. The first step towards setting up national institutions in Mesopotamia in compliance with great Britain’s mandate obligations was taken in Baghdad bn the 6th, when 19 former deputies were summoned from various parts of the country by the present British administration. Their functions will .be to frame proposals for provincial electoral law, under which members will be elected to the General Assembly, which will frame organised laws for the country. This Assembly will also provide a source to which the administration may turn for advice connected with the welfare of the future of the coUiitry. TRIBESMEN DISPERSED. LONDON, August 7. The War Office has reason to believe that the Arabs are treating British prisoners Well. A column returning from Diwaniyab under General Couingham, reached Jarbuiyah. The Arabs made elaborate arrangements to prevent the column reaching Jarbuiyah, but the attack was beaten off by Deccan infantry. The Arabs left 70 dead. The Gurkhas had hand-to-hand fighting in palm groves and villages. A final concentration Of two thousand tribesmen, with banners flying, were successfully dispersed by gun- fire. The total Arab casualties were very heavy-. Odrs were about 20.