The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1924-08-20

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Arab has changed least Of all. Those
of the town play their chess in the
evening, as they have in quiet homes
for hundreds of years. The Arabs
claim they invented chess.
y. The Bedouin rides in from the des-
ert, smokes his nargileh, drinks the
cups Of bitter coffee, and gallops out
again into the void. AS the seasons
change, he folds his tents and moves
with his herds of goats and camels
So long as the statesmen of Europe
want to pay him for their pleasure
In calling this or that portion of the
desert a kingdom, 1t matters little to
him. He knows nothing Of maps and
cares less. Should they attempt to
make him pay, 1t would be different.
Kingdom making would not be 80
easy.
Emir Abdullah Tbn Hussein Is the
nominal ruler Of Transjordania. His
court is the same as that Of his fore
| fathers-a cluster Of tents in the des-
ert, which he moves with the seasons
BY automobile 1t Is only five hours
from Jerusalem to Amman, but 1t II
a change from the West to the East,
and there are not many travellers on
the road. Visitors are not generally
welcomed In Transjordania. 1t Is the
threshold Of Arabia, and once across
Its borders the law and authority Of
Europe are Of the flimsiest.
An automobile can coast almost the
entire distance from Jerusalem, along
the steep hillsides, down into the val
ley of the Jordan. There is q glimpse
of the Dead sea on the right, and the
road turns straight across the plains
toward Jericho.
AS one rides through that simmer
ing breathless valley, 1920 feet be-
low the level Of the sea, the heroism
of Joshua when he commanded the |
sun to stand still Is impressed with |
sitting force. The farther end Of the |
iron bridge across the Jordan Is bar
ricaded and a guard of soldiers stops
the car. Unless word has been tele-
phoned from the tented capital out
side Of Amman that visitor in Eu-
ropean clothes is to be permitted to
pass. the car goes no farther.
From the river the road climbs out
of the broiling valley to the higher
fertile plain. In winter Abdullah
moves his tents and royal court here,
near the Jordan, though he seldom
crosses into the British mandate. To
hold his people, he must play the
role of the desert Arab.
Caravans of camels, shifting in
alarm at the automobile, which the
visitor of today is likely to use, jog
along the road. Every man carries a
long black barreled rifle sticking up
back of his ears-camel drivers peas
ants working In the little fields, and
even the boys watching the herds of
goats on the hills. Transjordania Is
Of the desert. where everybody is his
own policeman.
Recently workmen have been leis-
1rely clearing away the rubbish from
he Roman amphitheater Abdullah
1oes not hope to restore 1t as in the
lays when shouting multitudes
the games on the banks Of
lie little creek, but the dirt and rub
,ish which now cover its battered ar
istic beauty will be removed. i
Similar excavations will be made in :
he even larger ruins of Meshetta, a
ew miles from Amman. Other work
men are widening the streets and
building roads in the country.
Area Only 10000 Square Miles.
Amman Is station on the Hedjaz
abroad. much used between Damas-' ,
us and the South. However, the ,
ountry has few funds for internal
and the eternal con-
let with the desert Is hopeless Its
rea is only 10000 square miles, with
population Of 100000 exclusive of
omads.
The annual budget amounts TO ST.
10000. against revenue Of S5O0.0OO y
treat Britain makes up the differ
nee, one of the many donations to- a
ard maintaining an Arab policy. o.
Transjordana Is a haven for the j
xiles and fugItives from all the near r,
v territory Under cover Of night,
ley slip away from Damascus and
Their cities in the French mandate,
ross the desert with the assistance 6,
I friendly tribes. until the long camel
,urney brings them into Transfer -
ania. "
Amman and the larger city Of Es- "
alt are full Of men who have cheat cl
l the already-overcrowded French o.
risons. Few of them have abundant &
lnds all must be provided for .,
hey are part Of the brotherhood; 4;
pets. merchants, editors, army Off H.
RS, students, lawyers, and men ana -,
omen from every walk Of life make -
. the number.