New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-07-07

THE DRUZrs AND CGRCAssTANs.
RAcD HOSTILITY MAKES TROUBLE FOR THE
SULTAN ~ SYRIA.

SULTAN ~ SYRIA.
To the Editor q The Tribune.
Sir. This mornings telegram from Const2ntino-
pie that iOo Clrcassians AM Druzcs have been Killed
or wounded IN a night IN syria Is Of more impor-
lance than would appear o. the casual reader. The
prtize nation In ,h Houran district south OF
Damascus and northeast OF the Sea OF Gaiilce il
th. mos, cof.pact. warlse and thoroughly organ
tied community IN Syria. IN their Wild indepen-
derce aided NJ times by their follow-DrrZes IN
Mount Lebanon they have been from cne I'M
memorial in a state of partial or complete rebellion
/ AGAINST the ottoman Government TIL" present
Sultan has taken energetic measures 70 bring them
into loval subsection. and not only collect taxes.
but what is even more difficult enforce the military
constitution among them The family OF Atrosh
have been the leaders ia every revolt ana the sui
tan's military commanders Do Damascus have
shown great shrcwlness and sagncty In appointing
them 10 Office and appointing their sons TO inpor-
tant positions In the Imperial schools in Constantl-
uople. Step by step the Turks have moved for
warl their lortresscs and garrisous. until the
IIouran and the famous "Jebeled Druze' are re-
duccd 10 n far degree Of subsection.
But since the bulgarian War a new element has
appeared In that region. which has rendered the
paclncaton ~ trans-Jordanic syria more difficult
problem The success OF the Russian arms In Bull
glria coule,lrd the precipitate flight of tens OF
thousands ~ Clrcassians. who entered CONSTANT
uople and Were assigned lard and implements OF
agricultural labor by the Sultan. Drawer, more
loyal MOhammedan population never entered
Turkey and the Sultan could we'll afford to give
them homes In the most fertile districts Of Asia
Minor and Syria. Several thousands sent TO
Damascus and thence to the rich pasture lands OF
the Jaulan Gaulonitis). south of Damascus ana
northeast Of the Sea of Galilee.
FIR centuries ,he Belouin Arabs AMI ;he Druzes
had claimed these lnn.s free pns,urage in the
spring and early summer. The advent OF the Cir
tla~ VIII, yfI he Of he
best lands, under the guidance OF Turkish officials
and surveyors reused the Arabs and Druzes 10
war OF seif-Gcrcnce % drive the Invaders. But
the Clrclssaus held their own. They defeated the
Ruclla Arabs IN pitched battle captured camels
and horses and since thai time the Arabs have
npt dared to the landmarks hXei by the Gov
eminent. The Circassians have bulk fifteen thrifty
villages. made good ronis and fences. painted tres
an. ~ raPhy turning t9Ai GS'Fr, mo an p r
WaGe e pe3sanF} OK 2i9rr r1Ses atouP mir mem
ces PRS The sol : a dlEhiestlted NolcaH.c rock
6ack ana dsep ana PT r r sPenI2i crops
looking their largest town. Kuneltereh | walked
down. callns my horse. through a !uXurant growth
Of seif-sown red clover, which was almost as nigh
as the horses back The CLrcassians were moving
an siaeki9s It t0r w ter tod1er ,s s,, -, cha
southern slope Of Mount Hermon, Is the powerful
Druze village OF Mejtei Shows. Wei known as
she khs OF this famous warrior village have looked
upon the C!rcassians as enemies from the outset
"A
and military rule OF the Turks. paying taxes and
accepting the Consumption. the Turks find them 70
BE- reliable allies IN their modern policy OF sub
jugatlng the Druzos. That district is the most
turbulent in syria. and with Druzes, Circassans,
Kurds. Arabs Tartars and Nvsalryeh all armed
the teeth and given to predatory forays, no
der that the Sultans Government has diffcu,ty IN
Cattie-steailng the stampedlng Of camels and
midnight raids are their pleasing pastmcs. There
are probably more murders 10 the square mile In
that district than I'm any other part OF Turkey
The telegram gives no particulars as TO the cause
Of h.. thing z
that is that the Turks will stand 10y tho Circas-
slams The railroad finished from Damascus
south for fory-ive miles will make IL easy 10 send
regular troops quell future instructions But
extraordinary skill more than has usually been
shown ~ the Damascus authorities, will be re-
qulred 20 prevent these Jnphetic and Semitic tribes
from perpetual That railway. running over
the old home OF Og King. OF Bashan is "A military
necessity. we'll outlet for the magnificent
wheat crops OF Houran. II the Druzes be run
over to genuine loyalty 10 the Sultan. he viii have
a source OF military strength In Syria. which viii
make foreign invasion difficult. II not impossible
A state OF war. however. between the 10000 Druzes
and the 1900 Clrcassians Will prove a source of
perous weakness TO HIS Imperial Majesty's Gov
eminent. III. III. JESSUP
Vnt n ~