AN' ORIENT MYSTERY

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 15 December 1928, Page 11

AN' ORIENT MYSTERY

RUMOUR REGARDING DOINGS

ip|r\ HE everlasting mystery of the movements | of Colonel T. E. Lawrence, the “un■JL crowned King of Arabia,” was deepened recently by a statement circulating in well-informed quarters in London that, be is engaged on a secret mission in Afghanistan attempting to facilitate the negotiation of a treaty between Great Britain and that country. A few days earlier it was reported that he-was in Amritsar, posing as a Mahornmedan saint, and investigating Communist activities in the district. The opinion was expressed in authoritative circles that such an investigation, could serve no useful purpose, arid that the story might have been circulated to veil his real mission.

It is in fact confidently asserted (says a Londo 11 paper) that this Colonel Lawrence, the romantic figure who gathered the wandering tribes of the Arabian desert and led them against the Turks, is in Afghanistan studying Afghan life for the British Government. A trade treaty between Britain and Afghanistan is believed to be in the process of negotiation. A military agreement may follow. Colonel Lawrence, it is explained, is making an intimate study of the views of the liillmen, the merchants, and the peasants. He is living with them, concealed beneath a macha stain and the turban and robes he knows so well.

As “Leading Aircraftsman Shaw” at the Royal Air Force depot at Karachi Colonel Lawrence has led a life which has baffled his closest friends. He has vanished for a month at a time, and returned as unexpectedly as he departed. No one questioned him, and “Shaw” —famously silent — ; said nothing. It is some time now since Colonel Lawrence was seen at Miranshah Fort, a Royal Air Force detachment post. Then came the report that he was in Amritsar —living in disguise as a “Pir” or Mahommedan saint, watching for Bolshevist activity. He lived, so it was said, in a remote street in a luxuriously-furnished house. Women brought their babies to him to be blessed and to secure advice on illness. That rumour has since been contradicted. Armitsar is entirely free from Bolshevist agitators. It is a quiet, peaceful trading centre. “I have only just returned from India, where I lived

COLONEL LAWRENCE’S LATEST

in Amritsar,” Mr C. M. J. Barrington, an army reserve officer writes to the “Sunday Express.” “Colonel Lawrence is not there—spying in Amritsar is valueless. There is nothing to spy on.” Amritsar is the key city to the Punjab, and Colonel Lawrence was last heard of on the outskirts of the northern borders of that province. It was not realised that perhaps he had gone northwards through the mountains to the country of King Amanulla. Strange developments are taking place in Kabul, the Afghan capital, since the return of the King and Queen from their travels abroad. A hitherto scattered nation of 10,000,000 people is united. “Westernising” moves apace, and the country has become an active unit in the trade of the Orient. Asiatic Russia, under Communist rule, stretches to the north. The mountain frontier of India lies to the south. Afghanistan is the “barrier” —its capital is the rendezvous for those who pass through. Colonel Lawrence is believed to be there, hidden, and watching. Polgamy has been abolished, Colonel Lawrence will know if Occidental marriage laws will lead to revolution or placid acceptance. He will hear the mutterings of the wild and carefree tribesmen who live unshackled in the hills. In Afghanistan all roads and all gossip lead to Kabul. The old narrow streets and foul-smell-ing bazaars are being destroyed. The indolent customs of the Oriental are being shattered by King Amanulla, inspired by bis experiences in the West. If agitation springs up among the citizens of Kabul, mystified and irritated by enforced changes they do not understand, the Communists axe there to nurse it. That would be part of the mission of Colonel Lawrence — to watch the effect of the growing pains of Afghanistan. As “Leading Aircraftsman Shaw,” Colonel Lawrence was happy, and disliked being disturbed at his work. “Shaw,” said a companion recently, “is no longer Lawrence of Arabia. He is just one of ns, living our life, and receiving no special advantages because of his previous record.” When his mission is ended, Colonel Lawrence will probably reappear suddenly at a Royal Air Force depot in his regulation kit and resume his service duties.