New-York tribune., 1895-12-16
THE TROUBLE IN SYRIA
IT SEEMS TO BE DUE TO OFFICIAL 1NCITEMENT
MR. TERRELI.s COURSE.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: The Turkish Government has, a. present
called out reserves IN Syria, 10 the number OF
nearly fifty thousand for the alleged purpose OF
suppressing the rebellion OF the Druzes. 1t VIII
be remembered that in 1860 this turbulent quasi
military sect rose and butchered some thousand
Maronitcs and Metawily Syrians They are now
concer trated in the Hauran. the plains OF Coe!9-
Syria in the region south or Mount Hermon ana
have msssacred both Mahometans and Christians
In october some fifteen THOUSAND Of the Metawiy
Mosems gathered in arms TO attack the Druzes
bu. the latter succeeded in inducing them TO DIS
band, whereupon the Druzes attacked another dis
trict in the Hauran destroyed three Moslem VII
lagos and tore down the mosques. in which the VII
layers had taken refuge
The Government then began to call out the Re
deef freservesl throughout Syria and thousands OF
trooDs have been sine then landed at Beyrout
and other points near that place ana marched in
land The force now raised is out o. all proportion
to the number OF Druzes in arms. a sidelight on
the situation is thrown by a fact not widely known.
but of which information comes from trustworthy
sources.
In the last week in October a pacha arrived in
Damascus with orders - stir up the Syrian Mos
lens and claiming 10 nave power 10 author.Za them
to rise and kill the Christians. He announced his
mission 70 the Governor Of Damascus. and began
to circulate instructions among the Moslem VII
ages in the vicinity Suddenly and within few
dqT
poisoning The reason assigned that after the
massacre of 1860 many leaders Of the insurrection
were beheaded: and that II would be folly to risk
a recurrence. But to prevent news, or Iumors. Of
this from spreading. the Government promptly de
clared that there was cholera in Damascus estab-
trains for time, and suppressei mal ana tele-
he noted when the foreign commissioners tried to
get the seat Of the disturbances IN Sassoun InG
Turk finds the machinery Of civilization most usefG
han nliedf 10 n
II in addition to this report OF officially
thorized ncitement TO massacre. similar TO thai
in Kurdstan notably by zekkl Paeha Il be furthef
the green flag oil Islam. In lieu Of the red Mas OF
the Turk the situation may well be regarded as
dent in the seaport cities would be in peril IN case
OF another fanatical outbreak; bu; l. IS possible
be prevented from getting to the coast Telegrams
from this country TO Americans III beyrout are @ no3
consu:ar channels News particularly telegraphic
The daily and weekly papers are unable TO give
the Intention OF the Government except the military
lea ders unless as ths' intention may be inferred
from the proclamatioAS OF the pacha "hom 'he
Meanwhile. az Constantnople. the Sultan plays
empty prom ses alleging his inability to keep then
to the Foreign Embassies and secretly continuing his
Instructions to the various Pachas and Walls. Ana
Christian England, whose possession OF CyPrus
The Christian subjects Of the Turk that the
reforms assured under the treaty OF Berlin would be
carried out remains practically inactive, through
sef-interesi The British Foreign Ol1ce knew from
lis consular reports within three years after the
treaty of Berlin that the reforms were not being
carried out And II is now, surely, being dairy IN
formed OF the recurrence OF massacres OF Ar
,npnians yirtuallu under their protection. Where
is The British OF vrtuOus Indignation OF re
snon sibitv as a Christian nation no criticism
can be offered OF Sir Philip Curr.e's conduct Inc
fault lies IN London.
There Is n tendency 10 rake up against MI Ter
rel our own representative in tantinOpie, GER
tain acts and speeches. which antedated mis- dp-
rCintu1ent This d manifest inpropriety, leaN-
ing out OF cOnsidera tOn the truth Or taslty Ot me
CHARGES for If any Ambassador IN Constantnope
nae done his duty IN these critical times. and been
instant in season and out Of season, iEdefatisab!e
alert vigilaht persistent, II If Nj terrell ) ne
american m! ssiOnares who decidedly the per-
sors most concerned, Join IN praise Of our Minister
merican interests are in q fair way to be pro-
tected in Turkey II the Admins rat!on backs " ts
representative HENRI W. JH-sSe =
New-York, Dec. Y h9a