BAGDAD SCANDAL OF VANISHED STORES.

Dunstan Times, Issue 3137, 2 October 1922, Page 8

BAGDAD SCANDAL OF VANISHED STORES.

It seems to be assumed at Westminster that the Arabs are solidly against the' Uritish mandate principally because they misunderstood the meaning of the word. The fact is that of the four leading parties in the country the tribal leaders and the Ua.sra. commercial community- are pro-man-date, the Bagdad' notables and official classes are furiously anti-mandate, while the Shia religious leaders of the Holy Places are. as always. anti-Eu-ropean. Mr Churchill's view that the present military control of the country has proved an immense success is not borne out by the tacts. Isolated murders of British soldiers and officials continue to occur, and the aerodrome at Hagdad West has been Ibe scene of continual firing every night for the la si six months. The concentration of the Air Force and the Army at Hinaid'i has been effectual in preventing isolated attempts on British troops or British property, but it has meant putting all the eggs in one basket so far as protection for the city or country is concerned. It is doubtful whether King Faisal's army can ever be made into a useful force in its present form. A low standard of recruits was accepted, and it is vet- to he proved that its lighting moral or its value as a police force is of a higher quality than its conception of the idea of property. The Arab Ordnance is full of thieves. Two tons of brass disappeared from the depot last, week, and large thefts of stores are frequent. This has developed into so great a eeandal that an Ordnance officer of field Tank has been placed under arrest, and inquiries are proceeding in all directions. How much of the property which has at different times -fouml 1 its way into the bazaarswill be traced cannot now be said. but. it is to be hoped that this affair will not be hushed upas so many have been, and that the culprits will he brought to justice, however high their position. The prosperity of the Arab countries pictured by Colonel Lawrence and Mr Churchill's' resentment of criticism of the large expenditure by Sir Percy Cox on the official residence have been received here with derision. To represent the Aralr countries as in any other state financially than extremely low water is vvhollv inaccurate. Mr Churchill deprecated criticism because "a man of distinction must be suitable housed." but it may be asked whether the British Commissioners before 'the war were not equally as distinguished as Sir Percy Cox. The old High ("ouimissionerV residence wagood enough for them. Mr Churchill did not say how much money had been spent on the new residency during the las*, three, years—including the cost of. buying one of the most expensite siies and houses in Bagdad—nor whether be considered' fountains and a large ballroom absolutely necessary for a distinguished man's residence.