LONDON: For some time now Arabs have been busy discussing among themselves whether and how they can reach a “union”, and during recent weeks there has been a steady coming and going among political leaders of Arab States, writes the “Manchester Guardian”.

Most meetings have taken place in Cairo with Nahas Pasha, Egyptian Premier, as conveyor and host. The Premier of Iraq (Nuri Pasha), the Premier and Foreign Minister of Syria, the Premier of Transjordan, representatives of King Ibn Saud of Arabia and the Imam of Yemen have all at different times been there. The discussion is only in the first stage of enquiry and difficulties in the way of “union”, by which federation is usually meant, are generally admitted.

There are internal diversities among the different countries and questions of laws, foreign policy, military organisation and rivalries of persons and sovereigns. There are among Arabs those who fear that a union will result in too great a dependence of the other States on Egypt, whereas those who are chiefly anxious to shake off all foreign influences are jealous lest they should lose any of their independence whether long established or recently acquired. But the urge to union is there and is reasonable and is growing as the end of the war comes closer.

Published in Dawn, November 19th, 2018