5 MARCH 1921, Page 2

Mr. Churchill announced last Saturday that the Colonial Office had

formed a new department to deal with administration and policy in Palestine, Mesopotamia, and Aden, and with policy in other Arab areas in our sphere of influence. Officers with special experience in Mesopotamia and Palestine would assist the department. We observe with great interest -and pleasure that Colonel Lawrence has been appointed Adviser on Arab Affairs. Mr. Churchill will at any rate be well informed concerning Arab problems, for Colonel Lawrence, as every one knows, has an extensive and peculiar knowledge of the Bedouin.