MASS MOVEMENT

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 229, 27 September 1928, Page 7

MASS MOVEMENT

YOUNG COMMUNISTS.

Revolutionary Designs On

China.

DELEGATES AT CONGRESS.

(" 'Ximes " Cables.)

LONDON", September 26.

The Riga correspondent of the "Times' , reports that the Soviet has arranged for a conference to be held between the British, Chinese and Russian delegates to the Young Communists , Congress.

They will decide upon practical measures to utilise the Chinese revolutionary situation, and for exhorting youth to co-operate in the conversion of the mass movement in China into a Red revolution.

"RED ,, PROPAGANDA.

Activities In Punjab And

Amritsar.

LAWRENCE OP ARABIA BUSY ?

(Australian and X.Z. Press Association.)

DELHI, September 26.

The Punjab c"Ruthorities are actively engaged in combating Red propaganda in that province.

It is rumoured that Colonel T. E. Lawrence, famous as "the uncrowned Kinjr of Arabia," who is now a member of the Koyal Air Force, has disguised himself as a holy man and is endeavouring to discover the secret Bolshevik headquarters in the Amritsar district.

Colonel Thomas Edward Lawrence was born at Trenadoc in 1888, and was educated at a Jesuit school in France, the City of Oxford School, and Jesus College, Oxford. From boyhood he was keen on archaeology. Having specialised in medieval castles and visited every one in England and France, he took for his thesis, *'The Influence of the Crusades on the Medieval Military Architecture of Europe." This meant that he had to go to Palestine and Syria to study the Crusaders' castles there. Thus, began his connection with the Near East, and for four months he tramped in the heat all over this region. When war broke out he was rejected for the army, but when Turkey came in he and others of the Sinai Survey were sent to Egypt to make maps. In October, 1916, having been posted to the Arabian Bureau of the Foreign Office, formed to aid the Arab revolt, he was sent to Jeddah. He met Abdulla Ali and Feisal, the sons of Hassein, and at once decided that Feisal was the natural leader for the Arabs. Lawrence returned to report, and when sent back to inspire the revolt he went unwillingly, as he hated soldiering. Feisal induced him to dress as an Arab, and it was in this guise, and with the rank of Slierif, that he took a part in the guerilla warfare, which, thanks to the aid of General Allerby and his army, landed the Arabs in Damascus. In the meantime Lawrence took part in successful train-wrecking exploits of the most daring and sensational kind. During these operations his infinite patience and uncanny power to influence others were not less important than his sense of humour and his linguistic abilities. Eventually the Turks put a price of £10,000 on his head. With Feisal he attended the Peace Conference, where he always had access to the Big Three, as one of the few men who really nnderstood the problems of the Xear East. Lawrence wanted Damasc\u to be the centre of the new Arab State, but when he failed to get the French to modify their plans for Syria, he left Paris in disgust. He refused the D.S.O. and C.8., and told the King that the part he had played in the revolution was dishonourable to himself and to his country and Government. He had by order fed the Arabs with false hopes, and he intended to tight until they had been conceded a fair settlement of their claims. In spring, 1919, Lawrence began his great book, 'The Seven Pillars of Wiedpm," in which he told the secret history of his connection with the Arab revolt. Then came the much abridged, "The Revolt in the Desert. By this time he was famous, but his hatred for publicity had become a nipja- He therefore enlisted in the Royal Air Force as a private in 1922. under the name of Ross, but an officer identified him and sold the information to a daily newspaper for £30, with the result that he was dismissed in 1023. A month later. however, he was allowed to enlist in tluTank Corps, and then to transfer into th<? R.A.F. ns T. E. Shaw, goine with his unit to India in 102(5 as an aircraft man. A vegetarian, a non-smoker, ami teetotaler, and by no means a sociable man, lie was greatly attracted by life in the desert. Thus it came about that lie, a foreigner and an unbeliever, inspired ami led the broadest ration;*! movement of the Arnbs since the time of Mohammed, and brought it to a triumphant conclusion. Of a romantic temperament, he loved adventure, and the ; weaker side. I

ECONOMY IN RUSSIA.

(J'niffMl SrrvitfO LONDON". September 26. The Ifofrcow correspondent of the "Daily News" auys .lie Council of People's Commissars has voted for the r>xerci*e of stern economy in all State Departments, including drastic reductions in the staffs.

The Finance Ministry has been ordered to cease all supplementary credits.