London Discounts Reports of Holy War Threat; Think Ibn Saud to Be Friendly

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

Official London circles are inclined to doubt the report of the imminent Wahabi holy war against Transjordania, Iraq and Koweit, declares today the diplomatic correspondent of the London “Daily Telegraph.”

Basra is the center of Soviet propaganda in the near East and false news is being disseminated for the purpose of worrying Great Britain and embroiling Anglo – Arab relations. Non – British companies seeking to control Persia and Arabia are also active there. The situation, however, is not regarded sufficiently serious to warrant the sending of a British official agent to Riyad, Ibn Saud’s capital.

The India Office today denied reports current in the press that Indian troops were landed at Koweit to guard against a Wahabi attack.

Ibn Saud is reported to be preparing to visit Mecca during the pilgrimage season, which would preclude the possibility of a holy war as, had he intended to embark upon this course, Ibn Saud would not leave his capital for Mecca.

St. John Philby, famous Arabian authority who is now in Jeddah, Hedjas, in a cable published today in the “Daily News,” states: “The persistence of the authorities of Iraq and Transjordania in building forts along the desert frontier, enclosing wells which should be for common use was causing anxiety to the Bedouins.

“The present trouble is due to building of the Busaiya fort on the Nejd frontier, also to the fact that Iraq and British forces have been chasing the Bedouins into the Nejd territory against the terms of the frontier treaty. Ibn Saud’s attitude is friendly, he only protesting against provocative actions which excite the tribes.”

Philby ridicules the report that Ibn Saud is losing authority among the tribes. He says Sir Gilbert Clayton is expected to come to Jeddah to settle the situation.