New Britain herald., 1929-03-29
BRITAIN CLUTCHES
 HANGOVER JORDAN
Trans-Jordlnia "lndsptndtat'
 But England Needs It

Jerusalem, March es R - After considerable stress and difficulty, national parliamentary elections have been held for the first time in Trans s-Jordania-the British man. cated land to the east of the Jordan river. and one result of the poll is likely to be political agreement with Great Britain. Trans-Jordanid, an Independent Amirate." is one and a half times the size of Belgium, and has population of soo,ooo.
 To Great Britain the Ami:ate means part of the route to India. Through sort of corridor between Syria and The Nedjd, this route leads right up to the frontier of lraq, another British mandate which, in turn. borders Persia.
 It stands to reason. therefore, that Trans -Jordania despite it's Independent status must be kept Just as securely under control from London as the land west of the Jordan which, even though the two countries are administered by the same government in Jerusalem. to- day alone bears the official desig- nation of "Palestine.'
 The agreement to be submitted by Amir Abdul Hamid to his parlia- ment provides, among other things, that on questions of state finance, or the Issue of new money or propos- cd changes in the constitution, or the succession to the throne, the Amir shall "seek the advice" of Eng land. He further undertakes to en- act the necessary laws and regula- tions for carrying through Great Britain's international liabilities as affecting Trans-Jordania and to re- irain from issuing or enforcing any laws calculated to interfere with the carrying out of these liabilities.
 By the agreement Great Britain secures the right to maintain and mobilize military forces in Trans Jordania. As regards the procla- nation of martial law, the Amir is required to follow the advice Of the British resident, who himself is responsible to the British high com missioner in Jerusalem. Further more the Amir must place the ad- 1ninistration of the districts concern ed in charge of such British officials or officers as England may desig- | nate.
 No customs barriers may be erect | ed between Palestine and Trans 1 Jordania without consent of both I countries. In the framing of laws for faI "a 1on A <, other property to the Amir, England | must first be consulted.
 One sided as this agreement may | appear on the surface. the Amir and his advisers as we'll as the op- ! position party know that it really means the maintenance of the | Amirate. The country is dependent upon British might for protection | and if this protection were with t.rawn three days would see the Wa ilibis. the fierce desert zealots of The Trans Jordania.
 Another consideration is the fact | that the Amir, by heavy expendi- lures. plunged himself into deep fl debts. His private estates are be- ing used to clear these and the up- holding of even a sham independ- Il ency is a matter of life and death 10 him for he is dependent for per- sonal maintenance upon an allow ance from the civil list.
 It follows that the real issue in the elections for the new parlia- 1nent was a decision as to which of two groups of political leaders was 10 hold the important offices. The \ "outs' who sought the power wield- ed by the cabinet headed by Has san Challd. the capable son of Ab- dul Hamid's court astrologer. have now seized upon allegations of pre- dominating government influence at the polls as basis for continuation of the opposition party. They as- sert the elections were invalid and have planned to press their claims at Geneva before the mandate commis- sion of the League of Nations.