Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-12-18


of Mount Scopus. north Of the city
was stormed with the bayonet and
Turks were cleared from the Mount
of Olives
Demonstrations of Joy
Big demonstrations of JOY broke
out when the general advanced 10 take
the surrender OF tile city. Flowers
were showered on the troops and the
populace clapped their hands 70 testi-
fly to the Joy Of d"liNerance from the
hands Of the oppressors.
aFurther north the Turks We're es-
tablished in a long series Of trenches
around the village Of BeitikeS. These
trenches We're carried with rush. ana
the British line advanced beyond the
village. WelSh troops advancing from
the south pushed across the road east
of Jerusalem leadine to jericho ana
thrust back Turkish reinturcementS
advancing along tl}iS road to succor
Jerusalem. In the course of all these
operations they captured nearly 1000
prisoners in addition to 100 wounded
Turks in hospitals in Jerusalem.
OF conditions in Jerusalem learn thac
abortiye Turkish attacks against the Suez
canal the Turkish losses in pac', animals
exceeded 41.0CN dead from neglect, lack OF
food and overwork. The people were so
famished from hunger that they used to
fight for the bodies of the ansmals that
died in and about the town. Then there
was suspicion and persecution. Every
person suspected OF sympathizine with the
Allies was imprisoned or killed Many
persons were executed. Among these was
the Mufti Of GAIA. belonging to a distin-
guished Arab family, who. after an at
tempt to escape was captured and hanged
with his son outside the Iaffa gate. All
aged subjects were sent away, but the
American colony of about 800 was not mo-
Tested. 1t did noble work in relieving dis
tress, aided by funds from America.
when the United States broke off rela-
tons with Turkey these funds were dis
continued. Nevertheless the members of
the colony persisted in the good work to
the best Of their ability, and between jan
uary and March of this year they assist
ed more than 10000 persons They also
took charge of hospitals and have done
splendid service. Recently the Germans
attempted to obtain the exile OF all Amer
leans from Jerusalem. The Turks OPP
posed the removal, but number OF
younger males were sent to Damascus It
was also intended to send away the re-
mainder but the arrival there of the Brit
ish defeated their intention.
Early in November Eaven Pasha (the
lIpl. ici oista of
salem and returned to Constantinople
where he recommended that the town be
evacuated. Three days later however, a
change was made and re,..Jrcements
We're hurried
A proclamation was issued saying that
the Turks would hold out to the last The
new forces were very truculent. and it is
even said some of the sacred edifces were
mined
Later General Won Falkenhayn arrived
and took control Of defense measures. The
gagged in fitting his headquarters with
electric lights.
The population Of Jerusalem is
heart and soul with us. and there can
not be the slightest doubt of the at
titude Of the Jews ana Arabs Accord
ing to the Turkish estimates, there are
On Palestine nearly 25,o00 Arabs and
Jews who deserted the army to- evade
military service, as they We're begin
ming TO realize the mistakes of their
policy"
Details Of Capture
In attacks preceding the surrender
Of Jerusalem. the Turks employed
storming troops in successive assaults
on Nebi Samuel, northwest of the Holy
City, then held by London troops, ac-
cording to a Reuter- dispatch from
British headquarters in Palestine The
dispatch, which was sent by airplane.
gives details of the capture and the
entry into Jerusalem.