ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1796, 2 March 1918, Page 1

ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM.

WELCOME FROM MOSLEMS,

SIMPLE HISTORIC CEREMONY,

Describing the entry of the British forces into Jerusalem, Mr W. T. Massey, official Avar correspondent, remarks that it was a simple, dignified act, with a minimum of display. By the night of December Bth, the British troops had made such progress against the Turkish entrenchpositions that it was manifest that the enemy would soon have to retire to the nortlwmd east of the city, notwithstanding that ho was moving reinforcements up the Jericho road in a desperate attempt to prevent the city passing from his possession.

The pressure was not relaxed for a moment, and early on December 9th our generals believed that the liberation of Jerusalem was at hand. The people also thought (heir deliverance was near, and prayers were offered up - iu almost every bouse that our arms would be successful. At eight o'clock in the morning the Mayor of the city and the chief of police came out under a (lag of truce. The Mayor, who holds his high civic position as a member of the Husseiny family, which possesses documentary proof of its direct descent from Mahomet through the Prophet’s daughter, offered to surrender the city. The formal surrender was arranged at noon on December Bth. Between the offer to surrender and the formal acceptance there was sharp fighting in the outskirts of Jerusalem, the Turks lighting more stubbornly than at any period of these operations, and meeting bayonet with bayonet. JOY OF THE PEOPLE. The ceremony of surrender was very brief. The general gave the Mayor instructions for the maintenance of order, and had guards placed over the public buildings outside the city, but no. soldier of the King passed within the walls that day. Though the sound of the guns had hardly ceased, the.people felt secure and happy. The Turk was driven farther northwards and eastwards on December 10th. Otherwise the situation was unchanged when, at high noon, there 'was the unforgettable picture of the comnuuider-in-chicf's official entry. No Briton witnessed the dignified progress of the victorious commander in Palestine without experiencing a strong feelpride and emotion, nor could he remain.unmoved at the remarkably free and spontaneous expression of joy of the people, who, at the end of three years of war, recognised that freedom is permanently won for all races and creeds by our victory at Jerusalem. It was that feeling which accounted for the heart-stirring welcome to the com-mander-in-chief.

It was a picturesque throng. From the outskirts of Jerusalem the Jaffa road was crowded with people, who flocked westward to greet the Conquering general. Sombredad youths of all nationalities, including Armenians and Greeks, stood side by side with Moslems dressed in the brightest raiment of the Fast. The predominance of the tarbush in the streets added to the brightness of the scene. Many of the Moslems joined aloud in the expression of welcome, and their faces lighted up with pleasure at the general’s approach. General Allenby entered the city on foot. Outside the Jaffa Gate he was received by the Military Governor and a guard of honour formed by men who have done their full

share in the campaign. On the right of the Gate were men from English, Scottish, Irish, and Welsh counties. Opposite them were 50 men afoot, representing the Australian and New Zealand horsemen who have .been engaged in the Empire’s work in the Sinai Desert and Palestine almost since the war broke out. Inside the walls were 20 French and 20 Italian troops from the detachments sent by their countries to take part in the Palestine operations. 1

Close by the Jaffa Gate, the iron doors of which are rarely opened, is the wide breach made in the Avails by the Kaiser’s entry Avhen he visited Jerusalem in 1898. This avus not used for to-day’s historic procession. General Allenby entered by the ancient Gate which is knoAvn to the Arabs as “The Friend.” Inside the Avails Avas a croAvd more densely packed in the narroAV streets than Avas the croAvd outside. SCENE AT THE CITADEL.

The commandcr-in-chief, preceded hy his aides-de-camp, had on his right the commander of the French detachment, and on Ids left thq commander of the Italian detachment. ' The Italian, French, and American military attaches followed, together with a few members of the general stall'. The guards of honour marched in the rear. The procession turned to (he right into Mount Zion, and halted at At Kala (the citadel). On the steps, at: the base of the To wer of David, which was standing when Christ was in Jerusalem, the Proclamation of Military Law was read, in the presence of the commander-in-chief and of many notables of the city. The terms of the proclamation, which promises that every person shall he able to pursue his lawful business without interruption and that every sacred building, spot, pious foundation, or customary place of prayer, whether Christian, Hebrew, or Moslem, will be maintained and protected, clearly made a deep impression on (he populace. While the proclamation was being read guns were booming to the east and north, and the droning of aeroplane engines overhead told of the presence of the Flying Corps. De-forming, the procession moved up Zion Street to the barrack square, where General Allenby received the notables and (he heads of the religious communities. The Mayor and the Mufti—the latter also a member of the Husseiny family —were presented, likewise the sheiks in charge of the Mosques of Omar and Aksa, and Moslems belonging to the Khaldieh and Alamieeh families, which trace their descents through many centuries. The Patriarchs of the Latin, Greek, Orthodox, and Armenian Churches, and the Coptic Bishop, had been directed by the Turks to leave Jerusalem, but their representatives were introduced to General Allenby, as were'also the heads of the Jewish Committees, the Syrian Church, the Greek Catholic Church, the Abyssinian Bishop, and a representative of the Anglican Church. The last presentation was that of the Spanish Consul, who is in charge of the interests of almost all the countries at wax’, and is a busy man. The presentations over, the procession returned to Jaffa Gate, and General Allenby left Jerusalem. Thus ended a simple, impressive ceremonial, the effect of which will be far-reaching.