Manchester Guardian Hits Abdullah’s Rule in Transjordan, Calls It Backward

Commenting today on the signing of the treaty between Britain and Transjordan, establishing the latter as an independent state, the liberal Manchester Guardian stresses the fact that Transjordan is the most backward of Arab countries.

The newspaper points out that the population of the country has remained static since the last war, while the Arabs of western Palestine doubled in number during the same period. Citing the drop in infant mortality, the improved living conditions, and the increase in immigration of neighboring states, the newspaper’s diplomatic correspondent declares that “the feudal rule of Abdullah has contributed little to the modernization of his country, indeed he seems to have prevented it. The British advisers are confronted by a big task, if Transjordan is to become a constructive, progressive country.”