THE ARABIAN WAR

Evening Star, Issue 21717, 11 May 1934, Page 9

THE ARABIAN WAR

BRITISH SLOOP’S PART PROTECTION OF INDIAN SUBJECTS Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright CALCUTTA, May 10. A dramatic story of how a small British naval force protected Indian traders at Hodeida, the Red Sea fort in Yemen at present held by Ibn Sand’s forces, has reached India. When the Saudis advanced to Hodeida on April 29 Yemen Government officials lied, and thousands of fierce nomadic tribesmen gathered on the outskirts of the town, gravely threatening tho safety of the wealthy Indian community of 300 men, women, and children, who cabled to Aden and Jedda asking for British protection. Within 24 hours the sloop Penzance, which was patrolling the' Red Sea watching for arms, smugglers, and slave traders, arrived at the town, and lauded a party of sailors. Three R.A.P. planes also arrived from Aden. The sailors found the shops closed and the streets deserted, but the town officials, emboldened and overjoyed by the presence of tho navy, harangued tho waiting tribesmen and warned them of the penalty of attacking the town, whereupon the tribesmen retired some distance and confidence was restored, while those who fled to Kamerau Island returned. The Saudis guaranteed the safety of British subjects, who expressed appreciation of the action of the Penzance, which was relieved by the Enterprise.