(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
Diplomatic advices from Syria say that 10,000 Wahabi soldiers, having crossed the desert of Transjordania, are now at the borders of Djebel Druze and have allied themselves with the Bedouins against the French.
The report says a large force of Wahabis are at Ouadi-Moussi, in Transjordania, practically on the border of Syria. These troops are in British controlled territory and if the report of the number and location is correct, the situation may well cause complications between the British and the French in Asia Minor.
Henri de Jouvenel, the French High Commissioner in Syria, who has been in Angora trying to induce the Turks to withdraw their support of the Druzes, is now hurrying back to Syria. His hopes of “Locarno pacts” between the Syrian tribes, apparently have failed.
If the Wahabis are to add to the Syrian troubles the situation may well become worse. The Wahabis after their Hedjaz victory and the capture of Mecca, wish to get Damascus as the capital of their Islam Empire. Beyond a doubt Ibn Saud has been supplying the Druzes with arms and ammunition.
Whether or not the British knew of their coming into Transjordania there is little doubt about their intentions.
The “Temps” said last night, “There are clouds to the north and clouds to the south, to say nothing of what may come from the east–in such a situation is Syria as the League Commission meets at Rome to review the working of the French mandate. We do not doubt that the representatives of the powers gathered at Rome will approve the mandatory power and its program of action.”
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
