Aug. 4
In recent days telegrams have told us of disquieting events in Arabian countries, and the situation there shows that perhaps the most dangerous place in the world—dangerous because of the possible conflicts arising between rival rulers—is in these regions. Chief among the events which have occurred in the domain of the Arabs has been the death of the ruler. of Asir, which has placed upon. the throne a youth whose capability and influence are as yet. unknown quantities. To the south of his territory is the country of the Imai of Sanaa, a potentate who regards himself as the last Turkish champion in Arabia, and who shows a desire to dispute with the young Idrisi. the possession of "the fort of Hodeidah on the Red Sea. Against so powerful an opponent the Idrisi may find it difficult to hold his ground. On the other side of Asir lies the Hedjaz, ruled by the father of the Amirs of Trans-Jordania and Iraq. Whilst himself no very impressive personality, his treaty with the British has its value in marking a desire to accomplish the foundation of an Arab nation, although such a consummation in the present state of intrigue and rivalry would appear to be remote. Beyond the Hedjaz lies Palestine, where the traditional animosity between Jew and Arab has led to a complete breakdown in the effort to create a democratic constitution, the fault lying" mainly with the Arabs, whose. boycott of the elections for the Council has been complete. It would, indeed, have created a state of chaos had not the British Government suspended the constitution and brought Palestine definitely under. British rule. In Iraq the situation is, on the surface at all events, better than it has been for some time, but Kurdistan focusses the attention of those who anticipate possible difficulties, and it will
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.