The Sun.
London, England, 1840-07-29 00:00:00

INSURRECTION IN SYRIA.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
The different tribes in Syria aro rising against the
cruel despotism of Ibrahim Paaha, and Britain ought
not to let the opportunity pass unimproved for re-an-
nexing Syria to the Turkish empire. Humanity and
policy dLtermine us to give our suffrage in favour of the
Porte. We see Turkey lightening the burdens of the
people, when Ibrahim is striving to make them seven-
fold more heavy than they ever were before. But bow
is this re-annexation to be accomplished ? By assuring
the Maronites, the Druses, and the rest of the
malcontents, that England feels the justice of their
cause. This would give unity and strength to their
efforts ; and then, if they were no: quite adequate to
deliver their land from the usurper, the son of Mehe-
met Ali, a small body of marines would soon settle the
matter. A gentleman who has paid much attention to
the subject remarked us, that " a very small body of
European troops would suffice to disperse the hundred
thousand warriors of Mehemet Ali, and when once
completely dispersed, it would be almost impossible to
collect them."

But it will be asked, " What will France say to this
Will this square with her policy? Will this comport
with her views respecting Syria and Egypt ?" Our
answer to this is short, England does not exist by the
permission, nor act by the dictation, of France. It is
essential to the interests of both countries that-friendly
relations should exist, and this the governments of both
countries fully understand. England Las wisely ab-
stained from interference with France in Morrie,
Buenos Ayres, and elsewhere ; we have contented our-
selves rith being mere spectators, although not with-
out a stake in the issue.

Ibrahim being disposed of, a guarantee should be
given to the discontented tribes by Britain, that all
their reasonable demands should be granted. To carry
this guarantee into effect an arrangement should be
entered into with the Divan, that the Pachas or Vice-
roys in Syria should act in all things in conformity
with the views of the British representatives. By this
simple understanding the property of the inhabitants
would be defended from aggression, and the admi-
nistration of impartial justice in courts of law, un-
warped, uninfluenced by bribery or religious prejudices,
would be secured. If life and property were. rendered
secure in Syria, there is no apparent reason why
that country should not regain at least a part of
its once prosperous condition. A vast increase in
the demand for British nitnufactures would thus be
created. Syria, if we may rely upon the authority
of Ilerodotus, is the kay of Eastern commerce.
Were trade to flourish there, unfettered by official
restrictions, and protected from the terror of the ma-
rauder, all the regions lying between the Mediterra-
nean and the Euphrates would profit by the impulse
this would impart. Under the conduct of British offi-
cers, means would be found to put a stop to the incur-
sions of those predatory hordes which now infest the
banks of the Euphrates and the Tigris ; and the whole
17ngth of those beautiful streams, which water some of
the most fertile tracts in the world, would be studded
with mercantile settlements.

The Jews would, of course, be included in such an
arrangement ; and a period be put to those terrible
persecutions which have lately excited so much sym-
pathy in this country. We indulge no visionary notions
that the Jews will, as by some supernatural impulse,
return all at once to their native land. But it seenis
highly probable, from the affection which they are well
kn'swn to feel for the "place of their fathers' sepulchres,"
that numbers would repair to Judea, and help to make
it what it was once, a region of traffic. Jews in this
country would have their agents there ; who from their
thriving habits would become rich, and by their encou-
ragement and example stimulate the Jews in Palestine
to east off their pensive and despairing habits, and
bestir themselves in the active pursuits of gain by
reputable commerce. There is a blessing on record for
those who show kindness to the children of Abraham.
Now is the time for Britain to set about deserving it.
By a final and peremptory settlement of the ques-
tion between Mehemet Ali and the Porte, every pre-
text for Russian interference would be removed ; and
Turkey, with such a substantial proof of onr friend-
ship, would in future look to Britain, and not to Rm..
sia for support.

To carry out this scheme of making Syria the nu-
cleus of commerce, a Minister should be sent to the
Persian Court to arrange a commercial treaty with
that power, with a very clear understanding that
we shall require the Willful performance of the engage-
ment. If the Shah saw that he might depend
upon the
assistance of Encland in subduing his rebellious subjects,
and that the alliance would tend to the benefit of his
people, he would have discernment enough to dis-
pense with the assistance of Russian agents;
and the policy of St. Petersburgh would receive
a check in that quarter. By an arrangement with
Persia, and a focus in Syria, our commerce might
range from the Mediteranean to China itself, and retOtice
the ancient lines of intercourse which pre-existed the
route to India by the Cape. To menage such a commerce
we have agents prepared to our hand in the Armenians—
men who have all the enterprise, without the cupidity of
the Jew. They are almost universally good linguists,
and the beau-idcal of book-keepers ; for their ledgers
and journals resemble pictures, rather than manuscript
entries. As agents of English merchants, security for
their persons and property would be ensured.; and thus
they would serve us with all their hearts.
Justice and
policy would alike persuade us to take this indestrious
but ill-used people under our protection.
We should then have three roads to India—one by
the Red Sea to fertilise Aden on one side, and Ls-
sowab, the key to Abyssinia, on the other ; a second by
the way of Syria and the Euphrates ; and a third through
Syria, Persia, and Bclochistan ; and a fourth, if re-
quired, throlicl! Independent Tartary and Mongolia,
or Tibet, to China. Marts would spring up along these
routes without number, and have their seat in the nure-
inc, home of mankind, in the first fields of industry
and' civilization. We should have an oppoirtunity of
marking the progress of Russia without trusting to the
questionable authorities of St. Petersburgh or to the
alarmists at Bombay. It may be' asked, what these
nations want in way of manufacture? Our woollens
and cottons, which, with the single. t xeeption of silk,
seem destined to become the wearing 'apparel of the
whole eastern world. The utility and beauty of vise
former, and the smooth surface, even texture, and, if
coloured, lively figure of the latter, make them the sub-
ject of attraction wherever they go.—Glotc.