The Detroit times., 1917-03-31
OF
HOLY CITY
DOUBTFUL
Palm Sunday Finds
Christians Entry
Imminent
ALL SECTS VIEW
WARS PROGRESS
Future of Jerusalem
Will Be a Difficult
Problem
NJ TIE RELIGIOUS RAMBLER


Not since the days Of the Crusades
has there been so dramatic q Palm
Sunday In the Holy Land a. this
wear. with q British army at the
gates OF Jerusalem-or already en-
tered-the fall OF the City OF David
from the control Of the Moslems
seems inevitable.
Now there Is 10 be fulfilled the
fear OF the disciples OF the prophet.
that the long-sealed golden gate"
in the eastern wall OF the city-the
site Of the triumphal entry OF Jesus
will be forced open. and the rule
OF Jerusalem pass rrom the power
Of Islam.
Consider the general situation.
Back OF all military strategy In the
present war, certain great religious
considerations are st work, to de-
termine the anal outcome. In the
distribution OF the prizes OF victory.
N the Allies win. there win 'ensue
great religious struggle.
UP 70 date, the nrst great victories
OF the Allies have come within the
confines OF what may famtlIsriy be
designated as Bible lands This ter
rttory makes a greater sentimental
appeal to the race than all the rest
Of the earth beside. Therefors the
victories In Mesopotamis and Paies-
tine have had especial influence
upon the fmaginations Of the peo-
pies OF the three great monotbeistie
faiths--Judaism, Christianity and
administration All OF them trace
their origin to the regions which
have recently been figuring In the
news dispatches. Leaders OF al
these three religions are specializing
and planning concerning the advsn-
tsgss 10 be derived az the conclu-
sion OF the conflict.
S>-A~nr William. With hts alert
imasinztion. was the nrst OF modem
rulers TO take steps TO capitalize
the worlds sentimental interest In
the holy places. Toward the close
OF the last century, when he made
HIS memorable visit to Palestine, ne
began TO lay definite plans for the
conquest OF Syria German hotels
we're established at all OF the ports
and In most OF the places frequented
by tourists. German Colonies were
encouraged at Jana. Haifa, Safed
and Jerusalem. AZ this time the
slnce-consummAted alliance OF Ger
many and Turkey had its inception.
Il il known that the kaisers dar.
ing plan comprehended an alliance,
amounting almost TO a merger. OF
Islam and Christianity. for the sub
jugstion OF the pagan nations OF
Asia. Therefore the proclamation
OF a holy war" by the Turks, "a
further the TeutonIc purposes
seems not as strange as II otherwise
would.
SO Britain was but taking a zeal
out OF the German book when she
plotted for the detection OF the
Arabs from Turkish rule on reii
gious grounds. Incidentally. Great
Britain solved an old and veXing
problem when she caused the Arabs
OF the Hejaz. the holy province
where Mohammed was born, and
which he decreed should be a place
OF pilgrimage for the faithful thru
out all time, to revolt from the sui.
tan as their csliph. and substitute
for him the Crane shereef Of Mecca,
who IL the keeper OF the KaaDa, TO
ward which all Moslems pray daily.
This was done on the ground tina,
the Shereef OF Mecca is OF the blood
OF the Prophet, a. the law requires
the caliph 20 be, whereas the sultan
OF Turkey has not drop OF blood
Of the tribe of Koreish in his veins.
Since Britain rules more NOLAN.
medsns that any other nation, n
was Of Importance 90 her 10 sever
the tie that bound these people 70
| Turkey Now an independent Arab
kingdom has been set up. under
British tutelage. and II has asked
the United States for recognition.
This draws Turkeys teeth forever
even II there should be a Turkey
left after the war. Mecca henceforth
will be under the British wing. In.
stead OF being the worlds most "a
nous plague spot. and the most In
tolerant region on earth, which nc
Christian may approach. At peril OF
his life. Mecca will probably become
sanitary, and safe even for a Chris
tian.
No more delicate or diricult or
interesting question appears on the
horizon for settlement after the war
than the disposition OF Jerusalem
and Palestine. That the British ex
petition from suez will capture the
city seems a foregone conclusion
Even the fate OF Constantinople ID
less Of a problem.
No secret Is made OF The fact that
he allies desire America 10 have a
voice IN the disposition Of Turkey
Not that America seeks. or would
accept any territorial final rights