File 756/1917 Pt 2-3 ‘ARAB BULLETIN Nos 66-114’ [‎162v] (333/834)

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dearness of living, and delays in affording facilities for trade and
travel, but allowances are made for the difficulties arising from
the state of war and the requirements of the army. Little or no
hostility is shown towards other races and religions, ihis is
perhaps due in part to the present elation of the ^ Jewish
population caused by the visit of the Zionist Commission and
their belief, somewhat too freely expressed, in the early
establishment of a Jewish state in Palestine.
With regard to correspondence in Arabic, letters^ from
Syrian Christians are almost unanimous in their expression of
satisfaction with our occupation, but they express great appre
hension on the subject of Zionism.
There are comparatively few extracts to hand of letters from
Moslems, although these form a large majority of the population.
This is partly accounted for by the large number of illiterates
among them, while they have few correspondents in Egypt or in
Allied and neutral countries.
Armenian correspondence seems unanimous in expressions
of joy at the arrival of the British, appreciation of the conduct
and bearing of our troops, and desire for vengeance on the
Turks for their cruelties to the Armenians. Some Armenian
merchants, however, express the fear that undue favour is being
shown to the Jews, who may thus be enabled to monopolize the
trade of Palestine.
Much importance cannot be attached to the few letters from
Germans in Jerusalem and Jaffa which pass through the Censor’s
hands, as these would naturally be cautious and reticent under
present circumstances. But it is gratifying to note that they all
recognize the moderation and humanity with which they have
been treated, though they sometimes express their feelings rather
grudgingly.
Pr<>paganda.
Propaganda work is in full swing in Jerusalem. Newspapers
and illustrated matter are distributed in four reading rooms and
ten cafes and barbers’ shops. Telegrams are posted on Notice
Boards at three of the city gates and in the principal street
inside the city, and a reader has been engaged who visits all the
cafes and city gates, as well as the Haram esh-Sherif, and
reads aloud the news to the illiterate, showing them the illustrated
matter. He is a favourite and in great demand.
The publication as propaganda of General Allenby’s despatch
has had a remarkable effect on public opinion. The discovery
that the British defeated the Turks with only two Army Corps
was a revelation to the people of Jerusalem, who were under the
impiession that the British fighting force numbered at least a
quarter of a million.