London, May 4.
The fact that "Axis agents were behind the Iraq coup d'etat is emphasized: by the morning newspapers together with the economic and strategical importance of Iraq.
The "Daily Telegraph" says that Rashid Ah has for some time been known as a German agent, and the plot was inspired from Berlin to make the British position in the Middle East more difficult, It is fortunate, it continues, that "we were not deceived by his pretended anxiety to stand by the Anglo-Iraq Treaty. There is a strong body of opinion against him, and the appeal to the people of Iraq to throw out the usuppyrta government may be effective, Strategically, the importance [of Iraq has never been so great as now, for it borders Syria and Turkey, and Nazi designs against rose countries are as apparent as their urgent need for oil. The country is within flying distance of the Dodecanese for troop-carrying planes, "British forces could no doubt deal with the forces landed thus, but the danger to the pipe-line from a sobotage party must be considerable."
The "Manchester Guardian" says: "We must secure Iraq firmly. It is Our backdoor into Turkey and lies on the flank of an intended German advance through Syria.
"It he Germans arrive in Syria we must meet them from our base in Palestine.
The "Daily Herald's" diplomatic correspondent also emphasizes that German and Italian agents have been numerous and active in Iraq, He describes Rashid Ah as a "notorious troublemaker in the land of troublemakers.
The seriousness of the military problem should not be under-estimated, It means a drain, even if not a heavy drain, on British resources in ihe Middle East. Rashid All's action has been timed to fit in with the Axis drive into Greece, the threat to Turkey, and the advance in Libya. It is a very unpleasant diversion at this time, and in these circumstances the "Daily Mail" urges no kid-glove methods.
It describes the situation as of the utmost grevity—a serious. threat to our rear in the forthcoming battle for Egypt. "If Hitler were in our position. Rashid Ah would have been liquidated the day after he seized office, if ever he had been allowed to get that far. The Iraqi revolt must be crushed with all the strength we are able to concentrate."—Reuter, Italian Prisoner in
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.