Evening star., 1917-11-25
WAR INTEREST NOW /.
IN THE HOLY LAND
British Drive There Likely to
Destroy Turkish Power and
ThWart Germany.
SULTAN RATED INTRUDER
NJ FRANK H. SIMONDS.
(Copyright. 1871

1t is the sentimental rather than the
military aspect of the latest crusade
which has attracted attention in this
country. The Christian world has been
stirred by the advance OF British
army in the Holy Land. and that por-
tion of the Jewish world which accepts
the Zionistic program has been equally
interested. But the Christian and Jew
ish worlds have been thinking OF their
own religious memories rather than
those of Islam.
Actually, the immediate military as
pect OF the campaign for Jerusalem 10
comprehended in the purpose to 0e0e0f
Turkish and German troops from mo-
sopotamia and weaken the blow which
the Germans are unmistakab1y plan
ming to deliver against the army OF the
late Gen. Maude at Bagdad- What the
French would call coup de ventouso
that is. the application OF ieech--
best describes the Immediate strategy
| of the British in Palestine.
Notes Wider Significance.
But there is very much wider sig
nificance to this operation. In the
larger view it aims at inserting per
! manent wedge between the Turkish
Land about and including the cities Of
Mecca and Medina The real peril to
France and Great Britain, a. well a.
to Italy. incident to Teutonic suprem-
that the Sultan of Turkey 10 the fscog-
niZed spiritual head OF millions OF MO-
hammedans. who live in French. British
and Italian North Africa and in British
mans control the religious mainsprtngs
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 in
| truder and newcomer in the Mo-
hammedan world. His very title to the
caliphate rests upon a questionable
| transaction not 80 many centuries ago.
| The Arab has never accepted the Turk
| ish domination readily, nor does he
| cherish any affection for the Osmanli.
| under whom the political fortunes Of
| Islam have steadily declined. Already
an insurrection in the Holy cities has
temporarily deprived the Turk OF control
| of Mecca An independent Arabian
sheriff rules, and he has repndia&sd
Turkish control. Directly or indirectly
| he has the support of the British gov
| ernment in Egypt. and 1t would be q
short step to see him raised to supreme
power DIN the religious hierarchy Of the
Mohammedan church.
If Britain Should Control.
| II the British can succeed In occupy
| ing all of Palestine and thereafter either
|
| Holy Land or erecting an independent
Palestine. whose freedom shall be guar
| anteed by all the great powers. then
| the Turkish connection with Mecca will
be broken and the famous Mecca rail-
| road. built by Abdul Hamid. will lose
all its political value because II 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 Ia himself
dominated by the German. 10 to re-
move the greatest danger which threat
ems the Mohammedan colonies Of Great
Britain. France and Italy unless Tur-
key is conquered. This can be accom-
plished only when the Turk 10 sepa-
rated from Mecca. But IL an inde-
! be created. then the Osmanli would
automatically be deprived alike Of his
power and of his influence in the Mo-
ihammedan world. -
Most Important Circumstance.
This is by far the most significant
and important circumstance in the
present British operation in Palestine.
II is true that Egypt has no natural
frontier at Suez. 1t is q historical fact
that the true frontier OF Egypt lies
rather at the Taurus mountains than
at the Suez canal. 1t Is a fact that the
best defense for Egypt is an offense
which carries the lighting into regions
shores of the canal. which were the
scene of the first Turkish assault upon
Egypt two years ago. It is true that
an offensive in Palestine will be Of
material assistance to the British
forces in Begdad. Beyond these cir
cumstances of immediate military i'm
portance. however. lies y far larger
meaning. The British are slowly but
surely breaking the link that connects
the Turk OF the Mohammedan Holy
Land. They are approaching Jerusa-
lem and beyond Jerusalem lies the
Mecca railroad. Possession of this will
cut one of the vital lines in German
policy-that which connects itself with
the spiritual capital of islam. Not the
least important result Of this world
war may be the entire change of con-
troll and orientation in the Moham-
medan world.