The Englishwoman in Mesopotamia.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 February 1923, Page 1

The Englishwoman in Mesopotamia.

(fly Sir Percivnl Phillips). An Englishwoman ; is tho dominant personality in tho 'tangled politics of .Mesopotamia. Sheikhs "from the desert go to Baghdad—not to consult King Fei,sal, hut to take advice from Miss Gertrude Bell. They may see the High Commissioner, hut they see Miss Bell first. Her position is without parallel in tho history of British relafionsXvitl: the Moslem world. 'ln a land where woine'n sire veiled and kept in obscurity she is listened to with respect by the untamed chiefs of the desert. She talks to them with directness and authority, and they heed her words. Tier name is known from the Mediterranean to the Persian Cult, and from Persia to the Bed Sea. Officially described in Baghdad as “Internal Oriental Secretary” to Sir Percy Cox. she is, in fact, a Foreign Minister who deals diploma!ically with the Arab tribes included in lh> new kingdom of Iraq. Hers is the most important post in the new Cabinet of experts which Inis been set up unde; lie High Commissioner in the new Residency. For years .Miss Bell has travelled in Syria am! Arabia. Sbo Knows every tribe by name, their history, end their attitude toward each other as well as toward Iraq and Great Britain. She knows every chief personally, and his exact political and secial value. She explored the <!■*.,.r: by came! "a pre-wartimes, and ieMi.l r ally to ! ’ map knowledge of that little-known region. Now she Hies occasionally holm en Baghdad and Trans-Jordania and secs at a glance a stretch of poultry which took days to cover in the oldfashioned way. It i- an instructive ev|vrienco to s"C .Mi-- lb'll snrroiimb d In Iraq Ministers, enmhatiiig with vigour and authority proposals wliieli she thinks are inadvisa hie. King Fcisa.l realise:- her value and importance. Miss Bell sees him eoii-

stantly. i do Hot duuht that, she has guided him away from dangerous ventures. She has exerted a calming influence on over-aggressive sheikhs. She is "pro-Arab’'—it is even said in .Baghdad that she is too pro-Arab—but she is idled with fine enthusiasm for the new regime of independence and she alhours with unceasing energy for its success. . She is an arresting personality—sh nder, vivacious, intense, absolutely sure of herself, essentially feminine, and a charming conversationalist. She will carry on a discussion in .English, Erencb, and Arabic, shifting swiftly from one language to the oilier as she parries the arguments poured at her from all corners of the room. The impression of youth and unflagging energy is not lessened by the fact that her hair is tinged with grey. The chiefs answer her questions gravely; >OlllO of them have almost ’he demeanour of schoolboys up for examination. Ti is no use trying to deceive Miss Bell. She knows. If King Feisal’s (Government ba""> together it will be largely Miss Bell’s doing.