The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-04-23
BY HENRY T. RUSSELL United Prcss Stan Correspond.

cUIs)
 (C0pyright, 1881, in all cOun-
 tries by United Press. All rights
 rcecfvcd)
 Plymouth, England, April 23-- (UP)-How at Buckingham Palace he refused two decorations from the hands fo the king of England him. self, was to-day revealed for the first time by Aircraftsman T. F.. Shaw, Lawrence of Arabia). once an army colonel, to-day an air force private, the man who during the war busted the Turks from the des- ert and put Arabia on the map.
 After his work in rallying to the allied cause thousands of Arabs in the desert. the British government sought to reward him.
 It offered him money: ne re. fused.
 It offered him high posts: he turned them down.
 In the same way he spurned dec- orations which. he said, would have "shut my mouth."
 He said he would not take tning until the government had fulfilled promises made by him to the Arabs on behalf of Britain. In spite of
 
 him that he had been recommended for two coveted honors: c. B. (Com- mander of the Bath) and D. '. Q. (DistinRuished Service Order).
 Despite his protests both the awards were "gazettcd" and he was summoned to Buckingham Palace to meet the king.
 "I was ushered into the presence of the king," he said to-day. He was kind enough to chat about my tob in the desert. Imagine my sur prise when, in spite of my previous refusals to the government. the king motioned 10 two decorations which lay on . nearby table and signified that they were intended for me!
 "Immediately I explained that when officials suggested was to be honored, I objected and declined. or course I apologized. deplored the fact misguided officialdom should have brought about the circum- stances. And I told him that my previous decision not to accept the decorations must stand.
 Naturally the whole thing was most awkward. It was neither the fault of the king, nor mine. The ofYicials had no business to recom- mend me against my wish.
 Many versions of this incident have been circulated. It Is said that I went to the palace in Arab cos. tune. I did not. was colonel in the army at the time and went in my uniform.
 "I have heard 1t said that the king pinned one decoration to my breast only to find that had re- moved it when he went to pin the second one. This and other versions may sound better than the original, but they are not true.
 "Nothing could have been more awkward and unpleasant than what actually occurred"
 Although, in refusing the decora- tons, Lawrence complained bitterly 10 the king of the manner in which the cabinet had dealt with the Arab question. no iii-feeling resulted.
 "The king" he said, twas most kind and understanding"
 Several months later Lawrence again saw the king. This time he went to Buckingham Palace in Arab costume. He acted as interpreter between the king and TeisuI. kinG of Iraq. The king recalled Law rence's previous visit on this occa- sion and spoke to him cordially.
 When the king heard that Law renee was publishing his now Ia nous "seyen Pillars of wisdom" hs instructed his secretary. Lord stam' fordham. to offer a subscription. Ht meant, thus. to forestaii q possible gift by Lawrence beeause he had learned of the high value of tho edition ($1B0). But Lawrence wrote to say that in calculating the sale price of the edition he had planned to work off . special presentation copy for the king. He asked. there fore, that the king should be willing to accept one in the circumstances The king agreed. The book subse' auentIy was placed tn his valuable library.
 On one visit to the palace whcr Lawrence was describing his war v the desert in answer % questions the king asked him # he did no have something which could b' added to his (the ksEg'e) unique collection of war souvenirs. Law renee suggested seseraI objects. in' cIuding one which had been inti' mateiy connected with the kaiser The king smiiinsiy declined ths latter. Finally he accepted q rina
 Speaking of the decorationi which he refused. Lawrence pointed out that he was actually iD doubt C this day as to the legal status ol
 q am in the unusual position oi having refused decorations which have been GaSotted. To the best 9l my knowledge the nnnevneemeHti iH the sasetts have net been eap. sslsa as. s se P.sfus 's .ts sn. siSans i6sy rsfusea e . isAs them ! irsm ..,...!..., sh.