THE MIDDLE FAST

Hokitika Guardian, 7 May 1921, Page 2

THE MIDDLE FAST

RESULT OF CHURCHILL’S TOUR

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.

LONDON, May 5. The “Daily Telegraph” says: “As a result of Mr‘Churchill’s visit to the Middle East, we are likely to get a definite and clear-cut policy. The great difficulty is to reconcile economy of the taxpayers money with the demands which security and development of the Empire make necessary. Two great principles are propounded. They are: The establishment of a great Imperial air route from Europe over India to Austria, and the organisation of the Middle East as a chain of native autonomous states, feudally related ( to this country. In pursuance of these main objects, the following plans will probably be proposed : —Mesopotamia will become the rendezvous of an Imperial air force, which will he made a paramount factor in that region. Aerial routes to India and Australia will be arranged to pass the great plains of the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers. When Australia can he reached by aeroplane in eight days, Mesopotamia will be the intermediary station. Ail independent Aral) state in Mesopotamia will be crested forthwith, with a native prince. Tlie candidature of the Emir Feisal will he considered favourably. Tlie budget of the civil administration will be independent of any grants from the British Exchequer, but substantial grants should he available for the maintenance of Imperial military forces. These will he reduced to 24 battalions, and within a year to 12 British and Indian battalions. When the air force has been organised, the police area, and troops will he reduced to a brigade. Tlie railways will he put into private hands. The Government has already had an offer to huv them. A native armed force will be created to work in conjunction with an Imperial force. Kurdistan will be formed into a separate autonomous province. Transjordani o will remain a separate Arab state, under the Emir Abdulwah. The organisation of Palestine will remain as at present. The Holy Places will be placed under a commission under a prominent Englishman, including Moslems and Jews. The port of Haifa will he developed. The organisation of native states in Arabia will be perfected under the King- of Hedjaz and Iman of Yemen. The main idea is to get rid of all minor troubles with local affairs, leaving all these to the Governments of the Native States.