Mond is Threatened by Anti-zionist Mob when He Arrives in Bagdad

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

An anti-Zionist demonstration, arranged by Arab political propagandists, created a serious problem for the police authorities in the capital of Iraq on the arrival here of Sir Alfred Mond, British industrialist, former Minister of Public Works and Zionist leader. Mounted police were compelled to charge through the mob before the demonstrators were dispersed. Forty were arrested and several were injured in the riot.

Sir Alfred, who left Jerusalem for Bagdad accompanied by his wife and daughter, was compelled to enter the city by a circuitous route in order to avoid the threatening mob of ten thousand. Six miles from the city the party was informed of the threatening attitude of the demonstrators. The party was transferred from the trans-desert car into four smaller automobiles and proceeded undetected to the British Residency in Bagdad.

The demonstration began when a procession of Arab students, shouting “Down with Zionism,” marched through the streets to the western entrance of the city where they expected the arrival of the Mond party. Several cars which were suspected of carrying the Mond party were stopped by the demonstrators and the passengers, who proved to be local residents, were severely beaten and robbed before they could prove that they had no connection with the Mond party. Mounted police were called to restore order.

It was stated that the demonstrations were provoked by Arab agitators who spread the rumor that the object of Sir Alfred Mond’s visit to Iraq was to introduce into the kingdom of Feisul the Zionist principles similar to those of the Palestine regime. The Mond party entered the city after the mob was dispersed.