HASSAN'S SWORD.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIX, Issue 9653, 9 July 1919, Page 7

HASSAN'S SWORD.

A STRANGE STORY

After the armistice with. Turkey 'had been signed, Captain Ckude Cumberledge, of the battle cruiser Australia, who was at the time in. command of the cruiser Brisbane, had :,u most interesting interview with Nur-ed4l>in Pasha, who was in charge of the Turkish forces which took Kut-el-Amara (says the Melbourne "Heraild"). The interview took place, at Smyrna, 4ind, after talking on commonplaces for some time, Captain Cumberledge asked the Turkish commander how he managed the Kut victory. A story more weird than that related by Niur-ed-Din it would be hard to find. He said that his position in the neighbourhood of Kut was becoming very precarious. The tribesmen who inhabited the districts where his force was billeted were almost openly 'hostile, and he was beginning to think that victory against the British force was impossible. However, one day the Sheik petitioned to see Nur-ed-Din.' After many entreaties he was ushered into the presence of the Turkish chief. Upon coming into the presence of Nur-ed-Din the priest prostrated himself on the ground and said that he was bearer of great news from Mahomet On the previous night he had had a vision and the prophet had spoken to him. He had told him that victory, would be assured the Turkish forces if the commander would carry tile sacred sword of Hassan into the battle and carry at the head of the forces the banner which is always flown over the tomb. This strange 'narrative found its mark in the native superstition of the G-eneral, and ho ordered that Hassan's tomb be opened and the .sword, and flag brought to him.. This was done, and the priest's instructions were carried out. The story undoubtedly had. the effect of vstrenjrthening the morale of the troops, and at bo.cc /fib© ! support of the tribesmen was obtained, for in effect the battle became a holy I war. •.'■.•■• ■ • ■ ,