The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 1928.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 March 1928, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 1928.

THE ARABIAN SITUATION. Tjif. report that ivar lias broken out in the Middle East must be received with caution, hut events ol lute have certainly been tending in that direcion. Wahabi tribes from the Xejd, the great desert of Northern Arabia, have been raiding the frontiers of Iraq, and have penetrated as far south as Ivoweit, a British protectorate on the Persian Gulf, where the Baghdad railway was to terminate, lbn Sand, who is ruler of the Nejd, lias frequently declared that lie has no hostile intentions towards Iraq, and that he is not responsible for local blood feuds which have caused the trouble along the Iraq boundary line, but the latest developments, comments a northern paper, are undoubtedly ominous. The central figure in the situation is, of course, lbn Sand himself. Driven into exile by tribal enemies fifty years ago, he regained his power, and by a remarkable display of diplomatic and military skill lie extended his authority over the whole of Northern Arabia. When the Great War ca.me, lbn Sand sided with the Allies against the Turk, the hereditary foe of the Arab. But he was hurt and humiliated by the advancement of Hussein, ruler of the Hodja/, to the rank of King of Arabia, and after the war was over he proceeded to fight for his rights. Hussein was driven ffrom the throne, and Britain, realising that lie was an impracticable and unreliable ally, accepted Thu fraud as King in bis place. But by way of compensation, two of Hussein's sons were advanced to high honour. Faisal, who had been previously dispossessed by the French, was made King of Iraq, and Ali, his brother was made Emir of Transjordania. or Eastern Palestine, under British protection. Bui Ihn fraud, though now virtual ruler of Arabia, is not satisfied. He is jealous of liis two rivals. Feisnl and Ali ; he objects to the British as aliens and interlopers, and he lias strong religious convictions which are quite possibly flic principal motive force urging him on to war. He is not only King of the Arabs, hut spiritual chief i.f the Wahabis, the puritanical sect who have been struggling to reform Mohammedanism .for the past century or more, and the latest news, to the effect that he has declared war lqion the “infidels” of Koweit and Tansjordania. is quite in keeping with his past recard and his fanatical character. The leader in the border raids which have caused so much trouble to Iraq is the Sheikh Feisal ed Do wish, who is a personal enemy of Feisal. Prince of Iraq, and also a Wahabi of peculiar dignity and sanctity; and the prominent part that he has taken in these disturbances suggests that lbn Saud actually eontemplates a “jehad,” or holy war, against all unbelievers in the interest of the true Moslem faith. About eighteen months ago lbn Saud signed a formal agreement with Britain binding himself not to allow his territories to be used as a base of hostilities

against any of the neighbouring States. But such a compact as this would not offer any serious obstacle to a devout Mohammedan who bases upon profound religious conviction the historic right to offer all unbelievers a choice between the Koran and the sword. Until the Arabs Were finally liberated front Turkish tyranny, and until Ibn Sami bad consolidated his power, the situation in the Middle East remained for s une time fairly stable and secure. But this is not the only indication of a widespread upheaval of Mohammedan fanaticism since the Great War, and it is possible that the trouble between the Ncjd and Iraq may be a prefno'nitol'v symptom of it mill'll‘wider conflict.