Serious Situation Created by Wahabi Activities: King.of Hedjaz Preaching a Holy War London, Mar. 2.
The situation-created by the warlike activities of the Wahabis on the Iraq frontier appears to be causing increased concern to the British authorities in Iraq.
According to Reuter's correspond. ent at Basra, the second most powerful Sheikh in Nejd, in South-Arabia, is believed to be preparing to advance against Koweit, 80 miles south of Basra, and the Traq frontier, with 20,000 men.
An armoured train is now running from Basra to the Royal Air Force base at Ur of the Chaldees, and an Air Force base has been established at Koweit, where two squadrons are stationed.
The naval sloops Cyclamen and Lupin have joined the cruiser Emerald in the Bay—Reuter, Reported Despatch of Troops from India Basra, Mar. 4
Koweit is in a state of tension owing to reports from the interior, where the tribes are evidently on the warpath and preparing a big' offensive in which Koweit pected to be the main. objective of the advance, Tt is stated that a battalion of action of the Royal Air Force to repel tribal attacks on Ira Talk of a Holy War Mar. 6.
The report that Ibn Sand, King of the Hedjaz, is going to east his lot with the raiders who are advancing on Koweit, means thut Great Britain will have'to deal with the whole might of the Wahabis, the "Paritans of Islam" and the most powerful Ava combination in the Peninsula, filled with a reforming zeal and" contempt for death comparable only with the fanaticism of the Mahdists.
Tbn Sand has up to the present been very friendly towards Great Britain, Only Inst year he signed a treaty with Brigndier-General Sir Gilbert' Clayton, Chief Secretary to the Government of Palestine, and has always shown great moderation and a broadminded conception of the necessities of the pilgrim traffic to Mecca, which is in his territory. His forces some years ago easily routed the troops of King Hussein, whose brief reign in the Hedjaz the Wahabi advance summarily ended.—Reater.
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