AN ORIENT MYSTERY.

Wairarapa Age, 22 November 1928, Page 3

AN ORIENT MYSTERY.

Colonel Lawrence’s Latest. BUMOUB BEGABDING DOINGS. MISSION IN AFGHANISTAN. The everlasting mystery of the movements of Colonel T. E. Lawrence, the ■‘uncrowned King of Arabia,” was deepened recently by a statement circulating in well-informed quarters in London that he is engaged on a secret mission in Afgnanistan attempting to facilitate the negotiation of a treaty Ibtween Great Britain and that country. A few days earlier it was reported that he was in Amritsar, posing as a Ma'hommcdan saint, and investigating Communist activities in the district. The opinion was expressed in autlioritatice circles that such, an investigation could servo no useful purpose, vnd that the story might have beern circulated to veil his real mission/

■ It is in fact confidently asserted, soys a London paper, that this Colonel .ijawrenee, 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 militiry agreement may follow. Colonel Lawrence, it is explained, is making an intimato study of tho views of the billmen, the merchants and tho peasants. He is living with them, concealed beneath a mocha stain and tho turban and robes.ho knows so we,ll. ’ “As “Leading Aircraftsman Shaw” at the Royal Air Forte 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. A RUMOUR CONTRADICTED.

i It is some time now since Colonel Lawrence was'&een <at Miransliah Fort, I a Royal Air Force detachment post. I Then came the report that he was in ! Amritsar—living in disguise as a “Pir" oi* Mahommedan saint, watch- , ing 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. Amritsar is intirely free of Bolshevist agitators. It is a quiet, peaceful trading centre. “I have only returned from India, vm hfr G. J, r. y->■•■■■ an army * reserve €< Col''r“ <s ?£ net f*’ .e;&, 1 U*'- ” Ai iritsaT key ■_*./ to the Pun’jat volonel Lawrence was last hoard of on the outskirts of the northern borders of that province. It was not realised that perhaps he had gone north wards through the mountains to the country of King Amanulla. 3t range 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 Troutier of India lies to the south. Afghanistan is the "barrier"—its capital is the rendezvous for those who pass throuh. Colonel Lawrenep is believed to be there, hidden, and watching. NEW MARRIAGE LAWS. Polygamy has been abolished.

Colonel Lawrence will knew if Occidental marriage lawis. will lead to rcvolition or placid acceptance. Ke will hear the mutterings of the wild and care-free tribesmen who live unthaxk•ed in the hills. In Afghanistan all reads and ell gossip lead to Kabul. The old narrow streets and foul-smell-ing bazaars are being ’destroyed. Thr : ndolent custom.; of th® Oriental ar* being. shattered by King Amanulla, inspired by his experiences in the West. If agitation springs up among the citi zens of Kabul, mystified and irritated, by enforced changes they do not understand, the Communists arc there to nurse it. That would be part of the mission of Colonel Lawrence—to watch the effect of the grownig pains of Afghanistan. As "Leading Aircraftsman Shaw'* Colonel Lawrence was happy, and disliked being disturbed at his work. "Shaw," mid a companion, recently, "is no longer Lawrence <yf Arabia. He :s just one of us, 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 Rod'll Air Force depot in his regulation kit and resume his service duties.

; Aire. El«i* Fleming, of Plyanstock, I near Plymouth, believes she has th<3 longest tresses in England. Her hair is Wt. 6in. in length.