The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 1916. THE PEOPLE OF SYRIA.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 83, 14 March 1916, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 1916. THE PEOPLE OF SYRIA.

Some interest attaches to the posii tion of tlie people of Syria in view of the changing conditions caused by the splendid advances made by the Allies and especially by Russia against the Turks. Syrian Moslems, together wit}] the Christians of Syria, are far more eager to join the Allies in their struggle with Turkey than they are to rise in any Holy War against the invaders, is the opinion expressed to the New York Times by Dr. E. G. Tabet, who was formerly Secretary of the Beirut Reform League. The league is a Syrian organisation designed to obtain better government for Syria from 1 the Young Turks, or, failing that,' complete independence from all Turkish domination. Dr. Tabet declared that the recent admission from the Turkish Embassy at Washington, that eleven men had been executed at Beirut because they were discovered to be leaders in a widespread conspiracy against the "mother country," and also the several announcements which! have appeared from time to time in; the newspapers regarding the dissatisfaction in Asia Minor, together with the severe measures which the Ottoman Government took to quell disturb-

ance are much more indicative of the true state of affairs in that part of the world than are -he various insertions threatening a Moslem uprising l against the British unbelievers which emanate from the Ministry of the Sublime Porte iu Constantinople. Dr. Tabet explained that there are two Syrian Reform Societies, which were organised in 191.3, whose aims and projects of reform were published and widely circulated prior to the war. Turkey promised to effect reforms and to grant all the demands, conditionally on the Syrians remaining loyal during the Balkan wars. The promises, however, were never kept, and Turkish officials have ever since been trying to get rid of the members of the societies. Dr. Tabet asserts that the membership of the Beirut Reform League comprises more than 500,000; of whom not more than half are Christians. He says that sentiment against Turkey is spread equally among Christian and Moslem, as is evidenced by the manner in which the Arabs are aiding the British expeditionary force around Bagdad. On the committee of the. league, he declared, were to be found, Moslem and Christian working in harmony for the end of Turkish misrule in Syria.