File 756/1917 Pt 2-3 ‘ARAB BULLETIN Nos 66-114’ [‎222v] (453/834)

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Report.
On the night of February 5, 1918, the walls of the Gover-
norate and all public buildings at Damascus were placarded with
the following proclamation :—
To the Turkish Government.
Why do jmu not open your eyes ? You must not
follow in the footsteps of Germany. Germany’s policy and
her Government’s attitude towards her subjects, are contrary
to the principles of Islam.
To Enver, Talaat and Jemal.
You, who have co-operated with Germany, have ruined,
devastated and outraged the country. You have behaved
most cruelly towards your nation and the whole responsi
bility falls upon you and your Government.
This is the first warning that has been given you :
should you not change your policy, serious consequences
will result.
Several innocent Arabs, undergoing imprisonment for
desertion, were hanged on the charge of having been accomplices
in the above incident.
A further indication of the hatred felt for the Germans in
Damascus was seen the day the news arrived that the British
had occupied es-Salt. The Arab mob plundered a number of
wagons loaded vsith wheat destined for Germany. In the
outlying villages feeling runs high. In April a number of
peasants revolted, and the Turks being unable to cope with them,
were finally compelled to send for artillery to reduce them.
Thereupon the insurgents took to the mountains.
In'Turkey itself insurrection is rife. In the Alexandretta-
Toprak Kaleh-Keller district au Armenian band commanded by
one Topal Hagop is abroad, and to him deserters from the army
resort. Another band, 400 strong, operates between Gurun,
Malatia and Aintab, its leader being Bozan Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , an Armenian
from Malatia. In the Zeitun mountains, Armenian deserters
from Zeitun, Albistan and Ala Dagh have formed themselves
into bands of raiders ; while in the vilayet of Adana yet another
small band of Turks under a notable of Payas, one Papanun
I
and
killing
the
Ogl u M i istafa, is harassing the Government
gendarmerie in the mountains round Payas.
The escape of this party of forty men from Damascus into
the Druse country and along many miles of the Maan-Damascus
railway, shows what little assistance the Turks can count on in
Syria, and the lamentable state of their communications. No
difficulty was experienced in purchasing German and British
rifles and ammunition from the Druses,—a fact which confirms
an earlier report of the sale of large numbers of rifles in Jebel
Druz by the Germans.
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