II MESOPOTAMIA

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160736, 24 August 1920, Page 5

II MESOPOTAMIA

BRITAIN’S GREAT TASK COUNTRY MUST BE RE-CON-QUERED. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. Received—August 24, 8.20 a.m. LONDON, August 22. The Times, in a leader, says that the results of the inherently foolish Mesopotamian policy is that Britain is faced with the task of reconquering the country. It is now disclosed that widespread and prolonged operations are needed to deal with an upheaval extending from Mosul to 150 miles from Basra. The enforcement of order may leave the natives permanently hostile to any form of British control, and Mesopotamia is likely to become the Coalition Government’s grave, unless its policy is radically changed. All the oil in Asia will not compensate for the lives already lost and the hundreds of millions sterling spent.

A PERILOUS SITUATION POLICY OP CHEAPNESS PAILS. Times.—August 24, 11.30 a.m. LONDON, August 21. The struggle in Mesopotamia has become as expensive as the South African war, and more exhausting. The same public support will be necessary. Events have proved that military occupation before the armistice was attempted with too few troops, mostly levies, for the sake of cheapness, and this proved unsuccessful. A perilous situation is developing, in which the public should reserve discussion for the future. The Administration should concentrate on military necessities. The abandonment of Baghdad might be an intelligent policy, yet it would not be well with us if on the morrow of the signature of peace Arab mobs were permitted to drive us out, which is quite a possible contingency. Unless we pull ourselves together the crisis threatens to produce some issues flowing out to Jerusalem, .Damascus, Delhi, and Teheran, and, above all, the Bolshevist frontier. Baghdad is already semi-isolatcd, and Yisconnt Haldane is obliged to telegraph round a large circle in Asia in order to communicate with his troops near at hand. The Persian frontier garrisons at R-amaxiyeh and Felya are cut oil from Baghdad. The position on the Lower Euphrates is no better. Only the Tigris line to the north and south of Baghdad remains at present for the relief of the situation, in which troops, during the present season, are suffering the tortures of an inferno. Heavy rcrinforcements of additional 'troops are required to restore connection with Persia.

BRITISH OFFICERS TOLUNTEERING. Received August 24. 11.45 a.m. LONDON, August 23. In response to the Government’s appeal, hundreds of ex-officers are volunteering for service in Mesopotamia. OLYMPIC GAMES FURTHER RESULTS. Received Aug. 24, 9.10 a.m , ANTWERP, Aug. 22. The final of the three thousand metres steeplechase resulted; Hodge (Britain) 1, Flynn (America) 2, Ambrosial (Italy) 3. Won easily; time 10min 2 l-ssec. Hodge ran. the American off his feet. In the pole jumping final, Foss (America) was first with a leap of four metres nine centimetres a record. The final of the two hundred metres resulted as follows: Woodring (America) 1, Paddock (America) 2, Edward (Britain) 3, Murchison (America) 4. Time 22 secs. Davidson (New Zealand) ran. third to Murchison and Edward in the semi-final. Ten thousand metres: Nurmi (Finland) 1, Guillimot (France) 2, J. Wilson (Britain.) 3, I.acario (Italy) 4, Hatton (Britain) 5. Time 31min 45 4-5 secs. Pinal four hundred metres: Rudd (South Africa) 1, Butler (Britain) 2, Ongdhal (Sweden) 3. Shea (America) 4. Time 49 3-ssecs.

THE MARATHON RACE. KOLEHMAINBN WINS. ANTWERP, Aug. 22. Kolehmainen (Finland) won the Marathon race which was run in drenching rain. There were 47 starters. Gitsham led a bunch of a dozen until eighteen miles had been covered, when Kolehmainen took the lead. He was a quarter-mile in front after 21 miles, and won by 100 yards from Gossman (Esthonia), and Valeria (Italy) . The winner’s time was 2hrs 32min 35 4-ssecs. Leroy (America) ran seventh and Mills (England) thirteenth. Gitsham, on account of foot trouble, retired six miles from home. Kolehmainen won the 3000, 5000 and 10 000 metre races at the last Olympic games held at Stockholm in 1912.