File 705/1916 Pt 2 'Arab revolt: Arab reports; Sir M Sykes' reports' [‎58v] (114/450)

▼isits were in some way connected with Enver s designs to have himself placed on the
throne. .
Another agent, writing on the 28th November, however, said that a lecent arrival
from Constantinople had reported that there were rumours to the effect that Enver,
supported by the Germans, favoured the dissolution of the durkish parliament and
constitution, and that the idea was to replace Abdul Hamid on the throne.
Moslem Prisoners for the Turks.
An agent has reported that the Turks have enrolled about 1,000 Mohammedan
prisoners and were trying to get more. They are persuaded to join from religious
motives and are promised good food, pay, and promotion.
APPENDIX.
Miscellaneous Cuttings and Notes from the Press.
Turkish Provinces in War.
The following extracts are taken from an article by Dr. Wilhelm Feldmann in the
“Berliner Tageblatt” of the 2nd November ; it is dated from Constantinople :—
“ . . . . All who have carefully studied the provincial press, or had oppor
tunity of conversing with travellers, learn with surprise that an economic and
intellectual activity reigns in the provinces quite independent of the capital. This
activity made a timid first appearance after the Balkan war. But the revolution
of thought brought about by the world war have endowed it with its first earnest
significance. A noteworthy example of economic activity is shown in the fact that
during the last month alone fifteen large Turkish commercial associations and
limited companies were found in the provinces, while only a short time ago
Turkish commercial associations were entirely lacking, both in the capital and in
the provinces ....
“ Djemal Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. .... has fulfilled the promises be formerly made as Wall
of Adana. New roads and railways have been built throughout the country which,
though owing their origin to military necessity will be of the greatest importance
in time of peace. Factories have been erected in every town which, though due
to military needs will certainly outlast the war The latest and most
important of his reforms is the employment of the uncultivated district between
the vilayet of Aleppo and Bir-es-Saba. Last spring Djemal Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. sent for a
German expert .... to undertake the irrigation of this large strip of land.
The district was once celebrated for its fruitfulness. The preparations for the
long-planned irrigation of the Adana valley are now about to begin The
irrigation of the Eski-Sheher valley was about to be undertaken An
attempt to cultivate rice has been in the fields near Churma, part of the newly
irrigated valley of Konia. That the intellectual side is not passed over in the
midst of such material activity is shown by the founding of schools in Anatolia Peninsula that forms most of modern-day Turkey. and
Syria.
.... T he most surprising of all the news from the Turkish provinces is
that from Konia, which speaks of the coming erection of a monument in honour of
the Turkish women who have replaced, in the fields, the men called up for military
duty/’ J
Americans detained hy Turkey.
Washington, November 29.
The United States Ambassador in Constantinople has informed the State Depart
ment that Turkey cannot permit several hundred Americans, native and naturalised, to
leave Turkey via Jaffa, owing to military necessity. In rescinding its previous consent
to permit the departure of these Americans, Turkey says that the official who entered
into the agreement had no authority to do so. The Government is greatly irritated bv
this information.— Beuter.
[The “ Times,” 30th November, 1916.]
PKXMTKD AT THE VOKKIOH OMTC* BT C. *, HABKIBOM.—7/12/1916.