i88i] A JOURNEY IN THE HEJAZ 597 



circumstances, and assures me that Singapore is the 

 point through which the kidnappers work. Both Indians 

 and Malays are kidnapped. They are brought off on 

 various pretexts, and find themselves slaves only when 

 they reach Mecca. Mr. Kruyt argues very justly that 

 such doings afford a strong argument for allowing no 

 emissary from the Hejaz to appear in English and Dutch 

 ports without a Consular passport. It is well to respect 

 the religious freedom of Moslems ; but it is too much 

 to suffer this freedom to be used as a cloak for crime. 



