The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-08-12
Turks and Arabs,

Arabs hate their Osmanli masters with
hate which is the tiercer on account OF
the dread that keeps them from showing
it. Still, no stranger can travel in Syria
and Aleppo without gathering some no.
ton of the fire raging beneath that calm
surface. Fuad Pasha thoroughly under
stood this when, having been sent to
Damascus after the massacres to punish
the culprits, he seized the opportunity to
deal a heavy blow at the Mussulman
Arabs. But, though so cowed and
ruined by severity which was calcu-
lated to beggar as much as to chastise
them that they openly avow their impo-
tency as against the Christians, the
Mohammedans of the ancient Syrian
stronghold are again beginning to lift
up their heads, and the mutterings of a
storm, during which, at least, all
distinctions of creed would be laid
aside, can be plainly heard. Nor is STAN
boul ignorant of the disaflection of the
Arabs. 1t is aware that brave and
resolute leader, who enjoyed the conf
dence of the people, might hoist the
standard of rebellion with fair chance
of success. Indeed, two years ago, the
palace grew seriously alarmed at the
rapidly increasing attachment of the
Syrians for Midhat Pasha, and on his
consequently immediate recall took eX-
traordinary precautions to prevent his
disobeying and appealing to his province.
Suppose, then, that Arab set Dervisch
at defiance, and summoned his followers
to stand by him. A short while back
they would not have dared. but who
shall answer for their present behavior?
And did the Egyptian insurgents gain a
single success. Syria and Aleppo might
be next day in flames, while, despite
their iealousies and religious differences,
the Beduoins would Join their brethren
of the cities against the common enemy.
Even if the Porte have 0,000 troops, as
stated, in Syria, what could they do, es-
peciallv with the Arab element strong
in their ranks? And the Ottoman army
cannot be reinforced at pleasure, although
in so accessible a spot; for the excellent
reason that it has no soldiers to spare.
This is not surprising. OF the splendid
regiments we see at STEAMBOAT and Pera,
Sultan Abdul Hmid, whose nerves are
VIGOROUSLY weak, would most likely de-
cline to part with a battalion, in the
same way as during the Russian war he
refused to let the Messoudieh, his finest
iron-clad, quit the Bosphorus. 1t would
be extremely dangerous to weaken the
scanty garrisons of Salonica, Macedonia,
Adrianople and Asia Minor, and from
Arabia proper (the Hedjaz) not a man
could be dispatched. Besides, the army,
as have before remarked. includes a
large number of Arab officers and pri-
Yates, whose sympathies could hardly be
doubtful, and the rest, half clothed and
badly paid, would lack the enthusiasm
and zeal demanded for victory. In
short, an explosion in Egypt might mean
breakup of the Ottoman Empire.
With an infatuation peculiarly Turkish,
the palace has imprisoned Heiroullah,
that popular and able ex-sheik ul-Islam,
and Midhat Pasha in the Hediaz, which
is in a state of chronic disatljection,
and where reside the family acknOwl-
edged of all SumniteS to be the nearest
descendant of the prophet. and therefore
the rghtful heir to the caliphate. lmag-
inc, also, a rising there and simultaneous
proclamation of a new caliph, with Mid
hat and Heiroullah as his chief advisers.
The Arab revolt would instantly acquire
the Importance of a struggle against a
mere usurper of Islam's crown. True
it is that the Sultan would still retain
the insignia of Mohammed his banner,
his sword, his cloak, and one or two
other relics which are never out of his
possession, and concerning which there
is great mystery. But the Arab might
well despise such trihes, particularly
when master of holy Mecca and Medina,
and when fighting for liberty against a
detested tyrant. In conclusion, I must
repeat that am talking not of probable
tiles, but of possibilities, and simply
maintain that this is a possible contin-
gency, and as such ought not to be ig-
nored.-ConStanttnopLe Cor. London
NeUS.