ARAB RELATIONS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 September 1940, Page 2

ARAB RELATIONS

ALARMIST ENEMY REPORTS. CONTRAST WITH REALITIES. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 20. On many occasions recently broadcasts from Zeesen and Rome have spread sensational afid alarming reports about movements of Saudi Arabian troops on the Transjordan frontier and of imminent hostilities there. An official dispatch from Transjordan which throws light upon the origin of such reports has been made public by the Ministry of Information. It describes an incident which is said to be typical of the relations which prevail between the two Arab countries. “On September 12 troops of the Transjordan frontier force met a party of Saudi Arabians advancing in an armoured lorry on the Transjordanian side of the frontier,” says the statement. “The presence of the Saudi Arabian force constituted an undoubted violation of Transjordan territory. “Did there then follow one of those bloody encounters in which the Rome radio delights? Not at all. The two parties sat down and discussed the matter over a cup of tea. “The Saudi leader explained that he was looking for some of his camels which had strayed. The Transjordan officer signalled for instructions and they were to let the armoured lorry go back in peace across the frontier. The two parties separated with every expression of goodwill.” The efforts of enemy propaganda to disturb relations between Transjordan and Saudi Arabia are dismissed by the Ministry of Information as so much wasted labour.