El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-10-09


THE spirit Of every native born
/ Syrian rejoices over the thrilling
news OF the capture OF Damascus. OF
syria, the famous city Of natural
roses and flowers and the wonder Of
travellers from every point in the
world.
Several thousand miles away from
here, the British expedition led by
the great Gen. Alenby. has saved that
country from death and starvation
and chased the avaricious Turks from
that wonderful and beautiful land Of
Gouta-
syria and Armenia have endured
the worst hardships Of war and III
treatment by the tyranical and cruel
Turks Hundreds Of thousands Of
these people met their death by a
hundred different ways. some Of which
caused many mothers TO throw their
helOved children into the river 70
avoid seeing them killed by the Turks.
who often cut Off their legs and
hands. 1t was intolerable, the i'll
treatment and cruelty those creatures
met from the fleeing and defeated
army Of the sultan and his masters
and prosecution dictators. the German.
No wonder the Syrian element is elat-
ed at this joyful victory OF the Brit
ish in their successful drives in Pal
estine and Syria.
Damascus. the metropolis Of Syria
and Palestine. is now captured and
occupied by the British The triumph
OF these heroes in very short time
is the sure indication for capture OF
the rest OF that land, because Damas-
Gus occupies q most important posi-
ton Next 10 Beirut, Damascus is the
largest trading city in SYRIA There
reside the rug Weavers and cashmere
manufactures and straw mat and rug
makers. brass workers ivory workers
and other skilled craftsmen Hun
dreds Of years ago they produced the
famous flexible steel from which they
manufactured knives and swords His
tory shows that from Syria the first
trade and commercial expedition on
sailing hoats TO Europe started Thou
sands Of native Syrians come daily 10
the metronoIis for business and COM
mercial reasons from different points
and thousands Of foreign travellers
yearly. from every point Of the world,
on their way 70 the Holy Land, stop
over on the Sa1hieh mountain, four
miles from Damascus to enjoy the
most beautiful views OF the gardens
and meadows Of the surrounding dis
tricts. encircline the city Of Damascus.
Barada river with its branches llal
run through the city
Wall About the City.
One Of the most interesting things
about this ancient city are the -FOUR
Gates Of the city the arched width or
each exceeding 80 feet. The ancient
cft- IS encircled by heavy walls that
the enemy could not invade IL by
other means than through these 1our
Gates In olden times no guns or
rannons were used-arch and how
were the only arms Of protection rom
the invaders and enemies or otner
tribes. The gates were closed at night
and guarded closely by day
Mules. fackasses and camels are used
for Transporting 1reiEnt ana even
travellers. Some travellers take al
vantage OF a trip on mules, 1ackasses
or camels for its novelty on their way
10 the metropolis while tray erslns
the meadows and gardens Of FL Goulai
iuhaling the fresh air with ITS ira
GRANGE Of the blossoms Of the nAes-
ono here meets the native Arabs with
capes, on their camels. and Bedoulns
with their handy arms and heavy
canes, native Syrians on mules com
ing from different towns TO reach the
markets.
catering the City.
Entering Damascus one must pass
through three miles or Lle LAl-heS~
gardens OF Damascus. Every passe--
ger coming 10 Damascus has TO pass
through this three mile run and has 20
bid the sun eo0dby for an hours ride
from whatever direction from the city
he comes. for he enters under the sade
of the thick trees Of apricots, nuts, ap-
nles and pears that weave together
rom one side Of the road TO the otner-
According 10 the census Of 1893, the
Of Damascus was l56-0Vo;
: 7Droxsma.ely today it is 100000 Two
thirds Of these are Aonamne uaIs-
Damascus IS the center OF the Moham-
mechanism. one Of its marvellous con-
Etructious being The mosque Of FL Am
way. In 1901 I witnessed the great
fire In the great business district OF
Sock FL Hamedieh that was so close
10 the mosque It caused it to be set
afire- For several days the sun was
shadowed by the clouds Of smoke over
the whole city. On account OF the
absence OF fire extinguishers, FL Am
way was ruined but several years
later the oriental engineering and
system brought El Am
way back as the bright star Of the
CITY Scarcely any American or Eu-