File 756/1917 Pt 1 ‘ARAB BULLETIN Nos 1 to 65’ [‎448v] (901/1240)

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To sum up—a review of the present components of Syria
nroves it as vividly coloured a racial and leligious mosaic
to-day as it has notoriously been in the past. Any wide
attempt at autonomy would end in a patched and parcelled
thing an imposition on a people whose instincts for ever and
ever have been for parochial home-rule. It is equally clear that
the seething discontent which Syrians cherish with the present
Turkish administration is common enough to render possible a
fleeting general movement towards a new factor, if it appeared
to- offer a chance realization of the ideals of centripetal nationalism
preached by the Beyrout and Damascus cyclopaedists of the last
two generations. Also, that only by the intrusion of a new factor,
founded on some outward power or non-Syrian basis, can the
dissident tendencies of the sects and peoples of Syria be reined
in sufficiently to prevent destructive anarchy. The more loose,
informal, inchoate this new government, the less will be the
inevitable disillusionment following on its institution ; for the
true ideal of Syria, apart from the minute but vociferous
Christian element, is not an efficient administration, but the
minimum of central power to ensure peace, and permit the
unchecked development of customary law. Also, that the only
imposed government that will find, in Moslem Syria, any really
prepared groundwork or large body of adherents is a Sunni one,
speaking Arabic, and pretending to revive the Abbassides or
Ayubides.
T. E. L.
ARABIA.
Hejaz.
Intelligence.
It was stated in our last issue that the withdrawal by the
Turks of their reserve rations from Mijz, on the Fura road, to
Bir el-Mashi, indicated that they intended a further retirement.
This has now taken place. Sherif Zeid has reported that his
advanced guard has occupied Gradir Rabugh, near Mijz, that the
enemy is retreating and that Bir el-Mashi itself is being besieged
by the Arabs. This was confirmed by an aeroplane reconnais
sance on February 28, over Mijz, which appeared to be occupied
by Zeid s forces, although no ground signal was shown. Owing
to Zeid s failure to carry out instructions about a landing ground,
a more extensive reconnaissance was however impossible. The
landing ground referred to is probably at Abud, a few miles
south of Alijz. It was partially cleared and a landing was made
on February 19, the pilot and observer being given a good recep
tion ^ Zeid and his Arabs. The airmen were informed that
retugees were frequently arriving from Medina, which they had
left owing to lack of provisions. Since then, Miiz itself seems
to have been used as a landing-ground.