The Washington herald., 1908-05-03

Civilizations only hope is democracy
and Christianity" said Rev. Dr. Donald
c. Macleod. pastor OF the First Pres
byterian Church last night in an inter
view with a reporter Of The Washington
Herald in his apartments l. the Cairo.
Dr. Macleod returned 10 Washington
yesterday morning after a trip TO Europe
aud the Orient of three months. He was
the picture of health and in best spirits.
He made the trip to the Old World for
rest and TO improve his health. The
primary reason, he said, however, was
for educational benefits
shame OF the Orient.
Dr. Macleod denounced the existing
conditions IN Egypt and Palestine as det-
rimental 10 the advance of civilization.
He said:
when We arrived In the Orient I was
brought face 70 face with absolute mon
archy and Mohammedanism, the two
greatest evils in the world to-day. Every
intelligent man met condemned the
Turkish government, which is rapidly
bringing Palestine to utter ruin.
The country is going 10 waste so rap
idly that to a European or an American
the question arises, How long can the
shameful conditions remain?
Men have said that foreign missions
are useless-an unnecessary expense to
the church. Could these men see what
the missions have done they would never
repeat the statement.
while passing through Palestine saw
children treated more cruelty than are
animals in this country. Babes in their
mothers arms were literally eaten UP by
flies, which are 10 be found in great
numbers in nearly all parts of the land.
Mohammedan superstition forbids the
parent brushing the flies from the babies
faces for fear the evil eye may possess
the little one.
Heavy Tasks for Children.
"A large majority of the manual labor
is done by little boys and girls of ten
years. They are to be seen in large num-
bers carrying dirt from excavations and
performing other tasks considered hard
for strong men in America.
'I was Mortified to see eye diseases prev
alent among the children. In addition
TO these repulsive diseases the children
are nearly all cross-eyed. I am not a
physician and cannot speak authoritative
ly as to the cause for this, but suppose
the flies are largely responsible for
spreading the disease germs
Another Tepulsive feature Of Moham-
mechanism is the treatment accorded wom-
en-. They are allowed to leave their homes,
or jails. more properly speaking. one
time in a year, when they may visit the
tCmbs. If a woman allows her husband s
brother to see her face she is in danger
Of her life from her husband. The cloths
r over the face are seldom removed.
Our guide had three wives. He paid
a hundred dollars apiece for them. he
told us they were for sale, the whole OF
them, at any time for 5000 for the three
when a man wishes TO be divorced he
leaves his wife. That constitutes a d.
vorce. Such conditions will ruin any
country.
Governments Heavy Blame.
These evils are comparatively small
when compared to the evils OF the Tur-
kish government. Oppressive taxes make
agriculture a proftless pursuit More
than 1890 olive trees are hewn down
are so high it does not pay 70 grow
olives. More money can be realized by
selling the tree trunks for fuel. The most
fertile fields are uncultivated.
"In the cities are to be found condi-
tons that make an American think Of
the clean cities in his native land with
broad streets and sanitary conditions.
Washington was remembered by Wash
ingtonions in the party with a feeling Of
homesickness. Refuse in great heaps
block the streets and insult the nose with
the stencil. Men and women may be
seen at all hours of the day lying about
the so-cailed thoroughfares, summing
themselves. Occasionally they will get
up 70 whip a child for not performing
work allotted to him, but even this exer-
ton is Of rare occurrence.
In the towns and villages OF the In
terror, families live in mud huts less than
half story high. Search as diligently
as possible and you VIII not see a win
COW or other opening FOR ventilation with
the exception Of a door about the size
OF the door Of an ordinary dog kennel
Dogs. cats. fowls pigs. and any other
kind Of domestic animal to be found in
the Orient share the hut with the family.
H - dlA altlASlu6 occupation TO SLeiIlQ Dy
the shack and count the different species
Of animals, human and otherwise. that
are sheltered by a single roof"
Greeted by Congregation.
Before concluding his interesting de-
scription Of Palestine, Dr. Macleod told
OF the natural beauties Of the land. He
made a fve-day trip on horseback to Je-
Tusalem. visiting tho scenes In the Bible.
DR., Macleod was greeted by many
members Of his congregation on his ar
rival at the church. where he spent a
few hours OF the day receiving visitors.
He viii deliver sermons at the church
this morning and tonight.
DR.. Macleod expressed a determination
to be strong supporter OF foreign mis-
sions, after becoming acquainted with the
needs OF the schools in the Orient
A party of so persons made the trip.
leaving New York City on the steamship
Arabic On the return trip about 200 per-
sons left the party at Naples At Nice
200 said good-by to their friends, leaving
only few to complete the voyage on the
Arabic.
In this party were the following resi-
dents Of Washington: Rev. Dr.. and Mrs.
Donald c. Macleod, Or. George Bailey.
Of the Western Presbyterian Church:
James B. Lambie, Gen. and Mrs. Ellis
Spear, Col. and Mrs, Joseph c. Sibley,
Mrs. Cole, and Mrs. Lawton
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