The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-03-12
ARABIAN TRIBES
ENLIST AGAINST
TURKISH ENEMY

| New York, March 12.-The British
covered more ground in a short period
than almost any other movement OF
the war. has been assisted materially
fly extensive OBJECTIONS Of the native
tribes from Turkish rule, according to
private mail advices received here
from Asiatic Turkey.
| Last month the Turks apparently
were intrenched securely on the H.
girls below Kut-el-Aamara, where they
had held the British since the capture
of General Townshend's army at kut
The new offensive on the T1gr1s has
developed with such speed that since
the recapture Of Kut on Feb. rs the
British have advanced nearly 100 miles
and are now within a few miles OIL
Bagdad. This has been made possible,
! 1t is now reported, by the fact that
the Turkish troops are menaced not
only by the British but by strong
forces of Arabs, organized 10y the
British as their allies, who are har-
assing the fleeing Turks.
| A communication from the Irak
states that, as a result of the action OF
the Grand Sheriff Of Mecca several
months ago in declaring independence
of Ottoman rule, various Bedouln
tribes have put away their old ennl1-
! ties and united. Peace has been made
between the E1nir Arab ar Rowleh,
from near Damascus and Haklm bbn
Mahid- Hakim, Enir of the great An
sch tribe in the vicinity of Aleppo.
These two powerful men have cove
nanted to unite in assembling, for one
IL, Ioo to fich q
Turks land have issued a proclama-
and /equipment.
In preparation for actual warfare,
they were supplied with drill masters,
presumably British, who effected the
organization of an Ararn fighting unit.
They are possessed of a great guam
tity of arms and ammunition of the
latest type. Their marching orders
are sent from convenient central
base somewhere in Mesopotamia.'
The example Of these two Emirs.
this communication says further, has
been followed by the lesser tribes.
which are extending "the live coal OF
the movement from the borders of Sy-
ria to Egypt Especially are the pro-
moters of Arab union anxious to
light the fire. in the Irak and be-
tween the Eupharates and the T1gris.
The importance of the union of the
two powerful Anzeh and Shamr tribes
is, in fact, that they number not fewer
than 1900, 900 souls. This covenant of
peace means the union of two tribes
which have been bitter enemies for
hundreds of years. Now the Emirs
are studying modern warfare together
that they may rid their land Of Turk
ish rule.
1t is also asserted that the great
and powerful Sheikh Khazal Khan has
sent a deputation to the Sherif-Sulei-
man l., King of the Hejaz-announc-
ing his cooperation and submission,
as we'll as his readiness to respond to
a call for men and money. It is be-
lievetd that an offensive and defensive
treaty has been made between him
and the Erlir of Kuweit, Sheikh Jabir
Ibn Mabarak ell Subah. If this report
is ture, it means that other important
tribes will rally to this movement in
augurated by these two really power
full men.
That the new order is producing re-
suits is shown in a surprise attack
some fifteen hundred horsemen of the
new forces made on the soldiers guard
ing the cancels the Turkish govern
meth hayd purchased preparatory to the
attack on the s5uez Canal, as we'll as
to help in putting down the Arab re-
volt. The attacking party had been
Led. to believe there were large forces
of the Turks near, but instead, the
guard was soon overpowered, some so
being slain and the others fleeing,
leaving some 1000 came1s behind as
booty for the Arabs.