File 53/1915 Part IV 'German War: Turkey; Caliphate etc' [‎241v] (479/481)

Damascus is a centre of Syrian Islam, and its people somewhat fanatically
inclined, but there is a strong leaven of toleration among the leading Moslem
clergy, and a considerable bent towards hrench and English culture among
the rising generation of the aristocratic houses. Similar to Damascus are
Homs and Hama, but in these latter places fanaticism is more easily roused.
Boy rut with the Jesuit ('ojlege and the American Syrian Prostestant College
is the mainspring of European influence on the Arab and Syrian mind, has
been the scene in later years of much fraternisation between Moslems and
Christians and is the natural fountain of the idea of Arab nationalism
i.e.. Arab nationalism embracing Arabs of Christian, Moslem, and Druse
origin. The Lebanon is the stronghold of French political influence througdi
the hold of the Jesuits of Beyrut on the Maronites. It is the most progressive
part of Syria, but there still survives a certain feeling of religious antago
nism between Maronites and Druses and Maronites and Mohammedans
dwelling outside the Lebanon, though among the better educated there have
been considerable efforts to stifle and mitigate this evil.
The last area, that lying between Tripoli, Alexandretta. Marash, and
Meskene, may be described as Aleppine Syria. Here there is a strong
Turkish influence owing to the mixture of Turkish and Kurdish settlers,
and the existence of Armenians in many parts. Conseciuently there are
Turks who pass as Arabs owing to the fact that they are of the second
generation, and there is a reflex of the Armenian question which is apt to
make the mob range itself on the Turkish side in political questions.
The main factors in this group are
Diarbekir-Urka.
N. Jazirah.
Mosul.
Kerkuk.
Baghdad.
Diarbekir-LTiu is Tureo-Kurdo-Arab, and heavily implicated in the
Armenian massacres, and therefore not really a part of*the Arab movement,
A. Jazirah is hurdo-Arab nomadic and anti-1 harbekir. The Kurds are
practically with the Arabs in this area anti-Turkish, and solar not implicated
in the Armenian question.
Mosul is practically solid for the Arab movement, and normally the
relations between the Christians ami Moslems are fair, and with K oo,l ontside
inllnences capable of fusion.
Iverkuk is strongly influenced by the Kurds, but the Kurds of good
education are on the Arab side.
Baghdad and to the North is influenced by the fact that there is a strong
Jewish Oibna element I he Shias are a cause of want of solidarity;
the dews, oOUOO in nun.Iter, are pro-Ottoman, and Committee of Union and
liaXtT rT re ' nam ,' 11S l A T ,S a *: e 011 lhe Arab side, as also are the
Baghdadi i urks, i.e., lurks of pre-Ottoman times.
On the above groundwork we have the Arab movement, which is natural,
spontaneous, hut unorganised. ’
It has its origin (a) in the sense of breed common to all Arabs • ( 6 ) the
S^k e em ec -dl ir m '| 01 T’ ’ S ^ driving power originates in
Kyi 1 . 1 , especially Iteyrut Its organisation includes military officers drawn
lion, all parts, the notables ol Syria, the clergy, the ('hristhms of Syria
I hese persons have moved the Sherif of Mecca and spread" the idea
among the Arabian chieftains. 1
I he sentiments vary, hut there are certain common factors
On the whole the Arabs are pro-Knglish and anti-French but this anti-
french feeling ts chiefly due to fear of French financial exploitation
the hymns favour and preach alliance with native Christians, but this
as the tacit hostility of a certain element m the clergy. This feeliim would
be strongest m Aleppo, Baghdad, and Mosul.