The Timaru Herald. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1924. HERITAGE OF TROUBLE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 15 November 1924, Page 8

The Timaru Herald. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1924. HERITAGE OF TROUBLE.

Early in October, King' Hussein of the Hedjaz abdicated and subsequently altbougli another' reigned in his stead, the Wahabis wliu are the Run tan ' Tronsiders” of Islam and dwell in Arabia, swooped down upon the Arab ruler and ejected his followers from the holy city of Mecca. King Hussein of the Hedjaz, the Guardian of the Holy places of Mecca and Medina, who is about 7U, is the father of King Feisal of Mesopotamia, and of tne Emir Abdullah. of Transjoxdania. Ho proclaimed lnmsell King- in November, 191 G. During thei war lie received <£i,2UO,OUU from the British Government for military services in the Middle East. Following the abolition of the Caliphate by the Turkish Government, he was proclaimed Caliph by a majority of the Arab ALaliommeiians of Mesopotamia, Transjordaiiia, and the Hedjaz. King Hussein aspired to become the head of a great Arab Confederation with iris sons as rulers in Iraq and Transjordania. But he failed to impress the cosmopolitan citizens ot the new kingdom, and although lie threatened to ■resist to the end with liis personal following, who are mostly slaves, abdication was in all probability precipitated by the following declaration signed by a committee composed of the leading inhabitants of Jeddah and Mecca: “Die inhabitants of the Hedjaz have decided that they require the dissolution of tlie Haslnmite Government headed by King Hussein, and the succession ot a temporary Government for the protection of the country to be appointed by inhabitants of the Hedjaz, who are ready to conform to the orders of the whole Moslem world. They do not wish to light with anyone, and they appeal to the whole world to stop the present hostilities.”

Persistent entum aie being made to involve ruitain in me manoeuvre's for possession oi tne noly Cities, ana undoubtedly tne abdication of Eing mussem may raise very serious complications for Great Britain in xtiaoia. Early m me' Great War tne imusii Government guaranteed the autonomy of the Hedjaz m the event of a successful revolt against tfio Turks, and the services rendered to the Allies by King- Hussein and bis sons in due course received their reward. King Hussein, with tliei full approval of Britain, proclaimed bis independence in November, 191 G, and the Treaty of Peace with Turkey recognised tim Hedjaz as a free and independent State. As Emir of Mecca, Hussein wielded great influence throughout the Moslem world. He aspires to the mantle of the Prophet. In Loudon the policy of the late Government was soundly criticised and it is persistently urged that Britain should wash her hands of’ Mesopotamia and Palestine and Transjqi'dauia, altogether. The Arabs have called to ! Britain for help, and it has been urged that Britain should “send squadrons of aeroplanes lo save l Mecca,” and exterminate the Wahabis in order to protect the pilgrim routes. There is a danger, however, that if Britain does anything' so reckless, she may embroil tnei Empire with the whole of Islam. A century ago, the Wahabis captured both Mecca anil Medina and held these Holy Cities for years, but Britain never dreamed of interfering. Undoubtedly, Mesopotamia and thoi neighbouring States offer Turkish and German plotters a receptive soil for their intrig-ues, but Britain should not unaided attempt to solve the intricate and bewildering" problems confronting the Chancellories of 'Europe' in restless, never changing' Asia Minor, but should evoke the aid of the League of Nations and test, its pacifying influence upon the intensely combustible' elements again in motion round the cradle of humanity. .