THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1928. ARABIA AND ISLAM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19891, 9 March 1928, Page 8

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1928. ARABIA AND ISLAM.

The first impression created by the news of Arab risings threatening Irak and Transjordania is one of surprise mingled with disappointment. There was not long ago widespread confidence that the whole Arabian area, in spite of the rapidity with which affairs there have been wont to change, would enjoy for some time a settled calm. It was known that friction existed among the great Arab chieftains, and that there was some raiding of frontiers by Wahabi tribes, 'who have menaced the British protectorate of Koweit on the Persian Gulf and also crossed the Irak border. These disturbances, however, were so easily attributable to a fresh outbreak of local feuds that no serious significance was given to them. There was reassurance in the long friendship that Ibn Saud, King of the Hedjaz and Nejd, and also head of the great Wahabi revival throughout Arabia, had manifested toward Britain. His territorial sway covered all the northern portion of the region, from the Hedjaz on the Bed Sea, and so including the sacred centre of the Moslem world, right across to the Persian Gulf and the Irak frontier. When he ratified six months ago the Treaty of Jedda with Great Britain, it was believed that an era of peace was to be enjoyed. "Late, but not too late," was the comment of those most entitled to be heard concerning this British acknowledgment of Ibn Saud's good intentions. Ho was not merely the man Of the moment: such another, it was held, might not arise for a thousand years. Powerful, wise, tolerant, open-minded, he was acclaimed as a bulwark against serious recurrence of enmity to the Wes.t. Suddenly, this confidence is seen to be misplaced. There is still a margin of doubt about the extent and gravity of the risings. Even should Ibn Saud prove to be very different from the man he has appeared in negotiations, it is asserted that the defensive measures that can fte easily taken to safeguard the menaced areas will be ample. It is possible, however, to be over-sanguine about both these aspects of the trouble. Ibn Saud's reputation for fidelity has lately suffered, and the ability of the defensive forces to deal with loc«al outbreaks of turbulence may be overtaxed by any general onslaught made by the direction or with the connivance of this very shrewd and potent monarch. The inclusion of Transjordania among the threatened regions suggests an organised campaign of considerable dimensions, and a motive for this sinister development is supplied by its description as a holy war. The campaign is declared to be against the "infidels" of the menaced territories bordering on Ibn Saud's kingdom. This means an attempt to force adherence to Islam on the Arab peoples hitherto allowed to go their own way under British protection. The spectre of a Pan-Islamic revolt against the Western world thus stalks abroad again, and Britain may have on her hands a problem demanding very delicate and difficult handling, one calling also for determined action. For years the welding of Islamic forces for a deliberate trial of strength with the West has been so assiduously advocated in various quarters of the Moslem world that the possibility of an extensive campaign cannot be dismissed lightly.

Among factors of disquiet in the outlook must be included two of grave import: the Moslem element in India is still as unreconciled to British suzerainty there as it was in the days of its arraying with Gandhi's non-co-operation movement, and there has recently been evidence of Russian efforts to stir up trouble in Persia. The Indian danger may be met by the efforts of the British commission to promote a serviceable Anglo-Indian understanding. A basis for that already exists in the habitual loyalty of many parts of the Dependency, and the inquiry now afoot will give full opportunity for the amicablo ventilation of all grievances. Concerning the Soviet's influence in Persia it has to be recognised that it has gone to great lengths. The Persian markets are flooded with Russian goods, the army has been reorganised mainly under Russian officers, and a vigorous anti-British propaganda is known to have been undertaken by the Soviet's agents. These things bode ill for peace in • the Middle East, and Ibn Saud is bound to have knowledge of them and to be encouraged accordingly in any plans he lias for wider power. The outlook, whatever confidence may be placed in the wisdom and tact of Britain's emissaries, is sufficiently grave to justify the French comment that the movement in Islam against the British to-day may become a movement against the European tomorrow, and that there is need for the Great Powers to confer with a view to common action to safeguard the peace of the world.