SYRIA, LAND OF STRIFE

Evening Star, Issue 23681, 14 September 1940, Page 3

SYRIA, LAND OF STRIFE

[By Baebaea Beooks, in ‘ Christian Science Monitor.’] DAMASCUS. Since the time when Syria and Israel were at war in the days of Elisha, this ancient land on the eastern Mediterranean shore has been the scene of conflict. Until the German-named French general, Eugene Mittelhauser, commander of 150,000 troops of the late republic in the Near East, recently gave a figurative “ cease firing ” order, Syria was officially a part of the great French colonial empire, though under a nominal mandate of the League of Nations. . . And what could the dictators gam in this rather barren country with its mountainous scacoast ? There are many agricultural crops; wheat, tobacco, grapes, dates, and other fruits. At the back door, in independent Iraq, there are gigantic and plentiful oil fields. But most of all, there is near-by Suez, the vital waterway to the East. Employing the familiar “ pincer technique, Italian Libya could harass British-minded Egypt on the right bank of the canal—a movement already taking shape—and a Nazi-controlled Syria could menace British-mandated Palestine on the left bank. Historic Suez might thus face very real danger.

Syria itself hag for centuries been a gateway to the East. Thfe first great Roman Empire, having conquered Gaul and England, turned to this part of the Mediterranean for further expansion. This was before that Empire was destroyed by the northern Germanic hordes. In 50 a.d., the (Romans built Baalbek as a trading post with the Orient. Unoccupied for almost 1,900 years, the magnificent ruins of this ghost city could serve as a perfect example for modern city planning. But very much occupied is Damascus, another Syrian city whose history goes back 4,000 years. ■ Next to Mecca it is the most important Mohammedan city, and has long been the scene of racial, religious, and tribal conflict. The French have not had an easy time governing the polyglot population under the mandate of the League of Nations. There is constant dissension, One moment it is the (Bedouin tribes against the Druse, the Syrians against the Turks, or the Jews against the Christians. _ Every faction has kep a strong identity, and all seem to b against the French. Motoring into the ancient city just at dusk not long ago, we saw tall trees and fragrant flowers in a peaceful setting. A clear stream rippled along the road, as we tooted our way through goats, camels, and magnificent^Arabian horses with their shrouded riders. But in the city itself, sandbags, barbed wire, and machine-guns still stood in mute evidence of a recent Druse uprising. Brilliant stars hung low in the heavens that ‘evening as we watched a wizened muezzin chant his call to prayer from a graceful white minaret. Life teemed in the narrow streets where fez, turban, and straw hats mingled. Vendors called out their wares in high, nasal tones.

Highlights of Christianity are conspieious in this venerable Moslem city; the house of Ananias, the wall over which St. Paul escaped in the basket, and strangely enough, a tomb in the great mosqro which is said to contain the head c. John the Baptist, whom the Mohammedans revere as a prophet. A Mohammedan treasure is the enormous green velvet carpet that yearly makes the pilgrimage to Mecca. The rug makers and silk weavers with their big shuttles of bright coloured threads make one think of the Arabian Nights. There are other ancient trades to watch—the makers of Damascene brass work, furniture with mother-of-pearl inlay, aiid of home-spun linen embroidered with, threads of gold, cobblers, and jewellery makers. The French Government has evidently not thought it necessary to educate the younger generation in this territory. The prevalence of little children working is appalling. Tiny tots not more than seven or eight bend over work, benches and even handle blow torches in some of the metal work factories. What can the Nazis, effectually cut off from Syria by sea, do with this French-controlled territory? It is well known that hundreds of French officers have taken service with the British in Palestine. Moreover, the native population is no friend of Germany. And what will now happen to the body of 150,000 French troops in Syria? Arab nationalism flourishes in this historic Moslem city. The possibility even occurs that the Arabs might take advantage of the dissension among their European neighbours to link Syria, perhaps Transjordania also, to Saudi Arabia. But these are only conjectures.