THE ASSYRIANS
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] SIft,—It must have been with great satisfaction that the, friends of the unfortunate Assyrians have read of the scheme for the settlement of these people in Syria under the auspices of the League of Nations, and gratitude to the French Govern- ment will be felt for making this possible.
It is a disappointment, however, to find that this scheme does not include the whole of the Assyrian refugees in Iraq. Letters from Assyrians in Baghdad inform me that those of them resident in Persia before the War are not to participate in the Syrian scheme. Now the claims and needs of these " Persian " Assyrians are identical with those of the other Assyrians who are about to be provided for. They were driven from their homes and joined in the general exodus of Assy- rians in 1918, were accommodated with the others in the Baqubah refugees' camp, and since then they have experienced the vicissitudes common to all the Assyrian refugees in Iraq.
What, then, is the intention of the League with regard to them ? If it is desired that they should return to Iraq, then some arrangement will have first to be made with the Govern- ment of that country as to their reception ; and provision of land, tools, &c., must also be made to enable them to make a fresh start. If they are merely to be left in Iraq to get along as best they may, then surely the position of this small com- munity will be more precarious than it was before the Simnel Massacre.—I am, Sir, your obedient servant, . C. R. BARRE (Lt.-Col.).
Ashley Heath, Market Drayton, Salop.
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