Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-26
Continued from Third Page

Lawrence. But he does not let hi
| modesty interfere with his plans. Ane
| at the time he was visiting Cairo
| decked out as a Bedouin, he was doins
| 1t in order to stir up conversation al
| general headquarters and attract more
| attention to his Arab revolt Ther
| there was another reason. He knew
! there were Arabs in Egypt who were
watching him. Every move he made
| was relayed back to Arabia. He wantec
| the Arabs to know that ne was hear
| and soul with their movement and mo-
| afraid to dress AS they dressed ever
/ when among his own people. He wa!
| an actor and he played his part mag
| ntflcently even in the face Of ridicule
! / haven't any doubt but what Law
renee was reluctant To take an active
role in the Eastern campaign. He wa.
| scholar and something of an archie
| ologist. His profession was the investi.
| CATION of ancient civilization, his hobby
| the studying of modern peoples who
| inhabit ancient lands
The World War pulled him out o.
obscurity against his will. Sir Gilbert
Clayton, chief of the British secret
corps in the East, appreciated his abil-
ity and his rare gift for getting along
with Eastern peoples. Clayton knew
that Lawrence had invaluable knowl-
edge OF the topography of some of the
out of the-Way districts of the Near
East, ground over which campaigns
might be waged. So he called him to
Cairo in 1914 and put him in the map
department. He was a success and
was decorated by the British, the
French and the Egyptians. Then they
assigned him to handling spies. He
sent out natives whose duty 1t vas TO
bring back information regarding the
whereabouts of all the units In the
Turkish army. Again he was highly
successful.
Irritates Superiors.
Nevertheless he seemed TO irritate his
superiors Most of the time he quietly
went about his duties as though they
did not exist. He showed no enthusiasm
for military formalities and thought
nothing of disregarding rules such as
wearing Sam Browne belt, polishing
his boots and saluting. He also had a
playful little way of calling big wigs on
the telephone and talking TO them as
man to man In spite Of the fact that ne
was still a mere lieutenant. So you can
imagine how popular he was In Cairo
The Arabs defeated the Turks and then
ran out OF both ammunition and en-
thusiaSm. Lawrence obtained leave to
go down the Arabian coast on a little
trip. / learned from some of his early
associates at army headquarters in
Cairo that his superiors we're not disap-
pointed to have him go. They thought
him useful yoHng man, but rather try
ing on the nerves.
Lawrence probably went to Arabia
more out Of curiosity than anything
else. 1t was just the sort Of thing he
liked to do and that he had been doing
Tor years. When he got down there he
looked over the situation. and his keen,
imaginative mind Immediately saw pos
siblc solutions of the Arab problem II
was clear to him that it would be fairly
easy for the Arabs to win a complete
victory over the Turks. He passed his
suggestions on to Cairo and they told
him to stay in the desert, He did. with
the result that all the world now knows.
For some reason or other the average
European, and In this | include Ameris
cans as WELL Is impatient with foreign
peoples. He Is also intolerant and SUI
perior. Lawrence hadn't the slightest
Visible trace OF this. He Is a thinker. p
philosopher and a poet He appreciated
and reveled In the history of the Arab
race. He enjoyed talking with their
wise men, He admired their literature
He found much in common with them
AS a result they liked him and accepted
MN as Few Europeans ever have been
accepted by the peoples OF Arabia.
Part Of his campaign was waged in a
section OF the peninsula which Is looked
upon as hoIy~a section they prefer not
10 have deilled by the footprint OF dog
OF an infidei. But Lawrence was well
come there. Most phenomenal Of all
was the fact that not only did he play a
part in their revolt. but he was the NOV
ing spirit in it, He led the Arabs and
they needed him, During my stay III
the desert ! noticed how the Moslen,s
seemed To look upon him as one OF
themselves, and | verify believe that
they purposcly overlooked the fact that
he was Christian, attrihutlng his
Christianity 10 a f1uke
Most Europeans who mingle with the
Arabs are unable to master the intricate
manners and customs Of the deser
dWeiirfs They are constantly doiue
things that irTitate the Arabs and rub
them the wrong way. For instance.
they look upon our manner Of sitting
ns the height Of impolitcness. To put
your feet out IN 'front.' OF you IN The
Arab sheik'a tent is a gross piece of
rudcneas Lawrence was extremely
careful never TO offend He mastered
the social life Of the Arabs and then
set about ontdoing them AT those things
IN which they excel other people, such
as camel riding, endurance, story telling
and SO on.
Intimate Associates.
with the Arabs his two most intimate
associates were Emir Felaul and Shelk
Anda Abu Tayi feisui was the yelled
prophet" Of the revolt. Lawrence
backed him In preference To the other
three sons of Grand Shereef liussein
because he seemed to stand ttrst Ia
the affection Of The desert tribesmen
Lawrence and Feisul were exceedingly
intimate and real affection existed be
tween them Feihul was the nominal
leader. while Lawrence planned the
various steps nf tina campaign and
then carried out the plans, II was
Lawrence who was the raider and dyne~
inter Of trains, Auda Abu TaH. the
I5ednlin Robin Hood was one Of the
most redouhtable fighters Of his time In
the desert He rode beside Lawrenf G
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