Traveling in Arabia

THE HEDJAS

In the land of sand, where camels are more numerous than locomotives, traveling is neither comfortable, rapid nor safe--even for Kings. King Hussein of Hedjas set out upon a tour of Arabia some weeks ago. Near Petra in Kerak (Trans-jordania) he was attacked last week by a band of Wahabis, who owe their allegiance to the Emir of Riyadh*, Abd el-Aziz es-Saud. After a long struggle, King Hussein's escort repelled the attackers. The trouble between King Hussein and the Emir of Riyadh is over the demarcation of the eastern boundary of Hedjas, the alleged aspiration of King Hussein to the Caliphate and the mooted creation of a Pan-Arab Confederation with King Hussein as Emperor.

* Riyadh is the capital of the Emirate of Nejd and Hasa, the most powerful principality in central Arabia. The boundaries are as yet ill defined. The approximate population is 400,000.