New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-25
.Jerusalem-The Last Crusade

military aspect of the latest Crusade
which has attracted attention in this coun-
try. The Christian world has been stirred
by the advance Of British army in the
Holy Land and that portion of the jewish
world which accepts the Zionistic pro-
gramme has been equally interested. But
the Christian and Jewish worlds have been
thinking of their own religious memories
rather than those of Islam.
Actually, the immediate military aspect
of the campaign for Jerusalem is compre-
hended in the purpose to defect turkish
and German troops from Mesopotamia and
weaken the blow which the Germans are
Enthusiastically planning to deliver against
the army Of the late General Maude at
Bapdad. What the French would call
Coup de Ventotise-that is, the application
Of a leech-best describes the immediate
strategy of the British in Palestine.
But there is a very much wider signifi-
canoe to this operation. In the larger
view it aims at inserting permanent
wedge between the Turkish Empire and
the Mahometan Holy Land about and
including the cities of Mecca and Medina
The real peril to France and Great Brit
ain, as well as to Italy, incident to leu
tonic supremacy at Constantinople lies in
the fact that the Sultan Of Turkey is the
recognized spiritual head of, millions Of
Mahometans who live in French, British
and Italian North Africa and in British
India. Controlling the Turk, the Germans
control the religious mainsprings of a
large portion of Islam.
But the Turkish hold upon Islam rests
mainly upon possession Of the holy cities.
The Turk is really an intruder and
newcomer in the Mahometan world. His
very title to the Caliphate rests upon
questionable transaction not so many CEN
turtles ago. The Arab has never accepted
the Turkish domination readily, nor does
ne cherish any affection for the Osmanli,
under whom the political fortunes Of Islam
have steadily declined. Already an in
surrection in the holy cities has tempo
rarily deprived the Turk Of control of
Mecca. An independent Arabian Sheriff
rules, and he has repudiated Turkish con-
troll. Directly or indirectly he has the
support of the British government in
Egypt, and it would be a short step to
see him raised TO supreme power in the
religious hierarchy Of the Mahometan
Church.
II the British can succeed in occupying
all of Palestine and thereafter either in
creating a protectorate over the Holy
Land or erecting an Independent Palestine,
whose freedom shall be guaranteed by all
the great powers, then the Turkish con-
nection with Mecca will be broken and the
famous Mecca Railroad, built by Abdul
Hamid, win lose all its political value be-
cause il will either be destroyed or placed
under the control of those who direct the
fortunes of Palestine.
To take the control Of Islam out Of the
hands of the Turk, who is himself domi-
mated by the German, is TO remove the
greatest danger which threatens the
Mahometan colonies Of Great Britain,
France and Italy. Unless Turkey is con-
quered this can be accomplished only
when the Turk is separated from Mecca.
But il an independent or protected Pales-
tine should be created, then the Osmanli
would automatically be deprived alike Of
his power and Of his influence in the
MshOmetan world.
This is by far the most significant and
important circumstance in the present
British operation in Palestine. 1t is true
that Egypt has no natural frontier at
Suez. IL Is an historical fact that the true
frontier Of Egypt lies rather at the Tau
rus Mountains than at the Suez Canal. II
IL a fact that the best defence for Egypt
IL an offence which carries the fighting
into regions more distant from Cairo than
The shores OF the canal, which were the
scene OF the first Turkish assault upon
Egypt two years ago. Il is true that an