The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-10-03
DAMASCUS WON;
TURKS MAYQUIT
More Than 1000 Prisoners
Taken as Capital Of Syria
Is Surrendered.
ARAB FORCES ASSISTED
Further Peace Proposals Said
to Have Been Made Through
Financial Sources.
ARAB FORCES ASSISTED
Special cdbie Dtspdtch 10 THE suN.
COPYRIGHT. 1918; oil riphfs reserred


LONDON. Oct 2.-Direct approaches to
the Allies from Turkey looking to
cessation OF hostilities have been made
within tho last few days. according to
reports from authoritative sources which
became known in London this evening.
These tentative efforts are said to have
been made through financial channels.
Coincident with the announcement that
Turkey is putting out "feelers' for peace
the British War ONCE to-day announced
the capture OF Damascus. the capital of
Syria and one OF the chief Turkish bases
in the Palestine campaign, with 1000
prisoners.
The Evening Stdnddrd says that while
there is nothing of an official nature In
the way of direct approach by Tur-
key at the moment, important develop
ments are expected confidently. The
War Cabinet Is in full possession OF
| the facts attending the unofficial ap-
proaches.
Whether by diplomacy or by force of
arms Turkey soon will be out of the
war; this is practically assured. The
best that the Germanic powers can do
in view of Bulgaria's surrender is to
consolidate their positions in Montenegro,
northern Serbia and Rumania 30 as to
create a sort Of buffer OF occupied ter
ritory between the rest of the Balkans
and the Austro-Hungarian frontier in
| the hope of preventing the Allies from
extending any assistance by land to the
anti-German element in southwest
Russia.
This would cut of Turkey from the
| Central Powers except by sea via
| Odessa with the loss OF lower
Mesopotamia, Arabia, Palestine and
! Syria, together with the greater part
OF the army. and with the country
ruined the people are mutinous and II
! is not to be expected that Turkey will
| have any heart to continue the struggle.
| LONDON, Oct. 2.-The capture OF
| Damascus by the forces of Gen. Allenby
was announced to-day by the War Of
flee in the following statement:
Troops of an Australian mounted
division entered Damascus Monday
night. At A M. October l the city
was occupied by the British forces
| ana Dy u pOTtlUH OI tHe IATdD army OF
King Hussein. More than 1000 pris-
| oners were taken.
| After Its surrender. with the excep-
| tion Of necessary guards, all the allied
troops were withdrawn from the city
| for the time being. The local authori-
ties remain responsible for its admin
istratien.
One of the -Four Paradises.
The fall Of Damascus probably means
the end OF all Turkish resistance to Gen.
Allerby in Palestine and Syria Tho
city. which dates back to the dawn of
history. is the junction point Of rail-
roads leading to the port of Beirut and
Aleppo. 180 miles northeast.
Aleppo Is the most important Turkish
base In this region of Asia Minor. as II
is n junction point Of the railroads from
Palestine and Mesopotamia-
! Damascus IL the capital of the vilayet
OF Syria. and has population Of about
10000. 1t 10 one of the holy cities of
the Mohammedans and the Arabs re-
gard It as ono Of the four paradises on
earth.
The Allied Governments have decided
formally to recognize the belligerent
status OF the Arab forces fighting as
auxiiiaries with the Allies against the
common enemy in Palestine and Syria.