SOUTHERN ARABIA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22981, 8 March 1938, Page 11

SOUTHERN ARABIA

BRITAIN SEEKS CONTBOL DAMAGING PROPAGANDA UNREST AMONG TRIBES LONDON. March 1 The recognition of Southern Arabia as an exclusive British sphere of influence will fye raised by the Prime Minister, Mr. Chamberlain, in the talks between Britain and Italy. Arabia and India are stated to have played a part in Mr. Chamberlain's decision to expedite the talks. Italy has been issuing propaganda with some success to fire Arabia against Britain, and was planning an extension of the broadcasts in Hindustani from Ethiopia. j Meanwhile, the Hadramaut tribes in | Southern Arabia were giving trouble, with risks of dangerous international complications. Eight air bombings were carried out against tribes for defying authority after'crimes of violence. In a recent journey across Arabia, Mr. St. John Philby, well-known explorer, found part of the country in a dangerous state of anarchy. The hold of the Aden. authorities on the interior was very slight. He found that many of the inhabitants were looking to Ibn Saud, King of Saudi Arabia, as a champion. This might lead to trouble if the Italian influence led Ibn Saud to advance his claim to Hadramaut. Mr. Eden, only three months ago, stated that Britain would not permit any European nation to secure a foothold on the eastern side of the Red Sea.