"كتيّب سوريا (بما في ذلك فلسطين). لندن: إدارة استخبارات الأركان البحرية، يونيو ١٩١٩" [ظ‎‎٩‎٦] (٧٣٨/١٩٧)

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INHABITANTS
language. The British occupation of Egypt in 1882 produced
a further stream whose destination was considerably nearer
home. The demand for English-speaking and English-
trained doctors, lawyers, surveyors, engineers, clerks and
accountants, for the Anglo-Egyptian military and civil service,
after the British occupation, tempted the best-trained youth
of Syria to go to Egypt. In 1907 the wealth of the Syrian
residents in Egypt was estimated at £E.50,000,000 or one-
tenth of the whole wealth of the country. The opening for
Syrian dealers in Oriental wares and fabrics in North and
South America, Mexico, and Australia, sent constantly
increasing numbers to seek their fortune beyond the seas.
Then steamship and emigration agencies visited the towns and
villages, and by the praises which they bestowed on the
United States, Brazil, the Argentine, &e., induced numbers
to join the movement.
Of places in Palestine where emigration is common the
most notable would seem to be Bethlehem ; little colonies
from this place, whose inhabitants are particularly enter
prising, are to be found not only in America, but also in
Hayti, Australia, East Africa, and other lands. In 1913 the
emigration from the sanjaq of Jerusalem was estimated at
3,000, chiefly young men—Moslems, Jews, and Christians in
about equal proportions. Quite recent writers also speak of
a movement from Galilee. The chief centre of emigration
would, however, seem to be Lebanon, which native writers
usually describe in this context. It is calculated that the
population of Lebanon diminished by at least one quarter
(100,000) in consequence of emigration between 1900 and
1914. The long connection of the Maronites with Rome and
the strong American influence have rendered the notion of
emigration to foreign countries more familiar here than
elsewhere. In 1905 emigration had taken place on so vast
a scale that there was difficulty in obtaining the necessary
labour for cultivation of the corn, the mulberry, and the vine.
The population is mainly Christian; but large numbers
of the sect called Metawileh, who dwell in the province,