“HITRAR’S” WAR

Evening Star, Issue 23553, 17 April 1940, Page 8

“HITRAR’S” WAR

DESERT GOSSIP ON NEWS BULLETINS " GRAFFS BEY A COWARD " Tho following letter from the edge of the “ Empty Quarter ” of Arabia was received recently by the authorities concerned in acknowledgment of British official information:— Everybody enjoyed listening attentively to the news bulletins. We received them as a thirsty and hungry person receives water and bread in the wilderness. The people are anxious to know something about the war against the Alaman (Germans). They are eagerly expecting the news that the British and their Allies have crushed Hitrar and his guilty and criminal party. They accuse Hitrar of having made all wares dearer by waging an unnecessary war and by attacking smaller or weaker nations. Our water carrier assured me that ho would stab Hitrar with his “ djambia ” (dagger) if Hitrar should happen to pass this waj(, and would not mind if I put chains into his legs. We got the bulletins at 11 a.m. At 3 p.m. I had only one copy left. I asked one of the Literary Guards to read it in a loud voice to a party of about 50 men , gathered in front of our camp. One of the fellows who had got a copy of the bulletin offered to read it over to a small group of illiterate men, if these paid him one anna each. This shows the anxiety for trustworthy news. Copies of each bulletin were sent to the Yemen. I am sure it will have a good effect there. Everyone wanted to take the photographs in his dirty hands, full of indigo and layers of dust. I really pitied such clean photographs to be held by these gentlemen and covered with indigo in no time. A guard had to go round showing it to the crowd. They were pleased to look at His Majesty’s photographs, and said, “ By God, our King is young and brave. He seems to be 20 years old and has no beard. His going to the front shows that he is courageous.” A WORD OF CAUTION. ' When they saw the photographs showing the German prisoners having their meal one remarked, with his hand on his djambia (dagger), “By God, these deserve to be killed.” X told him that they were prisoners of war and had gone to fight by order of their chiefs, who were responsible for all the trouble. Another gentleman exclaimed, “ Wallah 1 Hitrar alone is responsible for this rabshah (trouble).” While I was continuing my lecture a man said, “Make sure that these prisoners do not run away at night.” (Please see that this is done.) The following remarks were made:— “Is the western front composed of husns (castles) ? Do the sentries stay on the roof? They must not sleep at night because the enemy might attack. If tho Inkriz (British) win the war —inshallah!—they must take hostages from the Sultans and agils (wise men) of the Alaman. Were the earthquakes in Turkey caused by the Alaman? The Turks must retaliate and make earthquakes in Germany. “ The warship Admiral Graffs Bey ought to have fought till the 'end. If/ one of us is attacked he must fight till he is killed. It is disgraceful to run away or to kill oneself. Graffs Bey is a coward. Wallah! How do warships fight? Do they knock down one another or simply jump over one another P “ We people cannot help our Government by gifts of money. But we can send millet, if the soldiers eat it on the western front. We can also send them indigo to paint their skins with if it is cold on the front. Inshallah!—at the end of this war the Alaman will be ‘ Finish wa Dismiss.’ ” I hope you will be able to continue sending more bulletins when aircraft come. '