The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-05-11
WAR ESTABLISHES
HEDJAz MONARCHY
Kingdom Recognized by Allied
Powers.

The Kingdom OF the Hedjaz has
been established and its King and
government have been formally rec
ognized by France, Great Britain, and
Italy. The monarch was foImsrly the
sheriff OF Mecca, and he established
his right to complete independence
by a successful rebellion against the
Turkish garrisons. His kingdom lies
along the eastern coast OF the Red
sea from the Gulf of Akabah more
than half way to the Strait Of Bah
ei-Mandeb. His people number only
about 100000; but in his realm are
located the holy cities OF Mecca and
Medina, with their ports Of Jedda
and Yambo. The land is, indeed, the
cradle OF Mohammedanism, and its
loss will be severely felt by the
Turks, who claim that their Sultan Is
the rightful caliph or commander of
all the faithful Moslems OF the world.
PurSBIOoded Arabs.
The people of the HedJaz are pure
blooded Arabs. They have no liking
for the Turks, who have for centuries
held them in subjugation. with Tur-
key participating In the great war
the Hedjaz garrisons were so re-
duced that the sherifs rebellion was
fairly easy. There was some fight
ing, but the Turks were compelled TO
yield to superior numbers.
South OF the Hedjaz lie the remote
Turkish provinces OF Air and Yemen,
narrow strips Of hAbitable land be-
tween the Red Sea and the sandy des-
erts. These are now isolated from
Turkey, and are completely in control
OF their Arabian inhabitants. Turkish
and German agents have, however.
kept the southern Arabs stirred up
against the British. and the garrison
at the British colony OF Alden has re-
peatedly been compelled to defend It,
self against tha attacks OF the we'll
armed and efficiently commanded
Yemenites. Between the pro-Turkish
Yemenites and the pro-British men OF
the HedjaZ. there Is little sympathy.
But the HedJazites on the north and
the British on the south have placed
the Yemenites in 30 uncomfortable q
situation that their warllke ardor has
almost vanished. 1t Is even possible
that they may be 50 sstirred by the
vision OF Arabian independence a. to
yield voluntary allegiance to the sher-
fixing OF the MosIem holy land and
thereby bring themselves into alliance
with the British.
Yemen, II II holds aloof. must make
the most OF some government Of Its
own, for It is now quite beyond the
reach OF Turkish aid. 1t may In time
be annexed either to the Alden colony
or TO the Hedjaz at the pleasure OF
the British.
Yemen Beyond Turkish Aid.
1t is altogether likely that entente
success in the European war will re-
suit in the firm and permanent es-
tablishment of the Hedjaz as an indie
pendent Arabian state under the Brit
ish protection. It Is at least possible
that the sheriff of Mecca who
is now king of Hedjaz. may re-
place the Turkish Sultan as ecclesias-
teal ruler of the Momemmedan
world. The prophet of Islam was an
Arab; Arabia was the birthplace OF
the great world faith. The Ottoman
Turks, who now profess to be leading
opponents OF Mohammedanism, are
regarded by the Arabs as no more
than barbarians. It IL true that the eth
mic tie between the Turk and the Arab
Is not much closer than that between
the Fill and the Englishman. The
sheriff of Mecca has long been the
highest purely Arabian functionAry OF
Islam, and his claim to the caliphate
Is logical.
II Turkey and her allies win the
new kingdom will be utterly erased
and the sherif-king will vanish into
the central Arabian wilderness II he
is lucky enough to escape the Turk
ish hangman-CleYeland Plain Deal
or.