Balm of Gilead

The usual sullen calm lay last week over the Biblical lands of Gilead, Moab and Ammon where King David once fought Absalom and where the British Crown now rules the mandated territory of Transjordan. Suddenly across the vineyards, the wheatfields and the deserts crackled news that the British Government of Palestine had lent $500,000 to Transjordan. To horse and to camel leaped the Arab sheiks, whipping their beasts hell-bent for Amman, the capital. Practically every tribal sheik in the country was in the mob that stormed the house of Premier Sheik Abdallah Sarraj, demanding a cut of the $500,000. "Our people are starving," they shouted. "Things are terrible. Give us our share or we will take it."

The Premier, white and shaken, called in his executive council. The roar of the sheiks pounded through the windows. Finally, the Premier went out and told the sheiks that the Government would distribute the $500,000 among the villages. "Now please," he finished, "go home quickly and tell your tribes the good news."

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