§ Mr. ORMSBY-GORE (by Private Notice)asked the Secretary of State for War whether an Indian garrison stationed to the west of the Euphrates in Mesopotamia has been surrounded and cut off by rebel Arabs; whether several attempts have been made to relieve this isolated garrison, so far without success; what are the British and Indian casualties to date; whether the rising is more than purely local in character and what was its chief cause?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLOn 2nd July the Government building at Rumeitha on the Euphrates was attacked by Arabs and the Arab guard killed. On the next day the railway was cut in three places, above and below Rumeitha, and near Samawa. Reinforcements from Basrah reached Samawa on 3rd and 4th July, and a small column was sent out from the north for Rumeitha. This column suffered some casualties, and owing to the cutting of a 2162 canal was unable to reach the town. There is no report of any British casualties up to date. The number of Indian casualties is not yet known. Further reinforcements have been despatched from Baghdad, and punitive measures are being taken by troops and Royal Air Force. The rising appears to be local in character. It is probably the outcome of religious agitation in Nejf. The immediate cause of the outbreak was the arrest by the Civil Authorities of a local Sheikh, who had been inciting the tribesmen to rebellion.
§ Lord ROBERT CECILIs the garrison in fact surrounded or not? I could not quite gather whether that is so from the reply.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIt has not yet been relieved: it is still holding out. A considerable column has gone out from Baghdad to join up with the garrison to establish order in the district.
§ Mr. GWYNNEWill the right hon. Gentleman see that the officer in command is informed he will not be accused of an error of judgment if he deals with this situation firmly?