THE WAR IN ARABIA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22259, 11 May 1934, Page 9

THE WAR IN ARABIA

PROGRESS OF CAMPAIGN CONFLICTING REPORTS (United Press Association.) {.;... (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) CAIRO, May; 9.. The: Imam of Yemen threatens to make the lives of the: Wahabif hostages at Sanaa answer for the safety of. the Yemeni envoy at Mecca. The Imam's entourage is apparently concealing bad news, because he denies the hostile occupation of E'odeida, which' is indubitable, and declares that there was. no revolution at Sanaa. Conflicting reports on the progress of the coin paign continue. ,\v./ '.'"'' PROTECTION OF INDIANS; A DRAMATIC STORY. CALCUTTA, May 10. (Received May 10, at 11.55 p.m.) A dramatic story of how a, email British naval force protected Indian traders at Hodeida, the Red. Sea fort in Yemen at. present ■:■ held by Saudi forces, has reached India. When the. Saudis advanced to Hodeida on April 29 Yemen Government officials-fled, and thousands of fierce nomadic tribesmen gathered on the outskirts of the town, gravely threatening .the... safety of the wealthy Indian community of 300 men, women, and • children, who cabled io 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 arid landed a party of sailors. Three R.A.F. planes also arrived- from Aden, v The sailors found the shops closed and tin* streets deserted, but the town, official?, emboldened and overjoyed by. the presence of the.navy, harangued.the waiting tribesmen and warned them of the penalty of attacking the town, whereupon the tribesmen retired, soma distance and confidence was restored,, while those who fled to Kameran.lsland returned., The Saudis 'guaranteed the safety of British subjects, who expressed appreciation of the '.action; of the Penzance, which was relieved by , the Enterprise. - : ■". '"/.' : ...