The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1920-03-18
SYRIA AND MESoPOTAMIA.
A Question of determination by
Arabs


The Syrian Congress sitting at Dam.
ascus has proclaimed the independence
of Syria, and Mesopotamia notabilities
are talking of independence for Meso-
potamia. Whether son OF the king
Of the Hedjaz has actually been pro-
claimed king as yet is not certain, but
something OF the sort is likely to hap
pen British and French statesmen spe-
cialzing in the Near East may well be
somewhat disturbed, and doubtless it
does not add TO their peace of mind to
remember that their neglect of Turkish
questions and the protection of Otto
man Christians was largely due to their
absorption in arrangements with the
Arabs, whs,h have now apparently
broken down.
The king of the Hedjaz and his ac-
tive son, the Emir Feisal, were of con
siderable use TO the allies in the cam
paigns which ended with the victory
at Megiddo, but the Arabs were not
fighting for England and France, they
were fighting for themselves Through
1916 there were negotiations between
England and the Arabs, on one hand,
and England and France on the other.
France lad traditional position in
Syria, going back to the Crusades and
emphasized by French action in the
10Th century To this sentimental in
tarest was added the desire To get
something which should counterbalance
the great acquisitions which England
was on the way TO making in Mosopta
mia. French and Arab interests clashed
in Syria, where apparently support for
France is confined to the Catholic ele-
ment of the population. And even the
Catholics have a good deal OF nation
alist feeling
For while Lord Afenby prevented
the French and the Arabs from coming
into conflict. but French diplomats
were disturbed at the continued pres
ence of the British, even as shock alb
sorbers. So presently the British left
and the French began to make adjust
ments with Emir Feisal. That gen
tleman, who seems 10 need no guard
an, realized that French assistance
could be used in the development of
Syria and that it might be bought at
what to the Arabs would seem too
heavy a price. A conflict was in the
interest OF neither party, but popular
sentiment was becoming irritated at
many places. The Emirs orders have
been necessary already TO prevent
clashes between the Arabs and the
French and some of the wilder spirits
are talking about cooperation with
Nustapha Wemal Pasha if an arrange
ment cannot betnade with France. Mean
while The French trying to find com
in Cilcia for what was en-
langered farther south, encountered
Turkish trops al Marash and are like
V to have fight on their hands to
make much progress in this quarter
The differences between the Arabs
md the French are not incapable Of
Iiustment. but it begins TO be appar
mt that both France and English viii
ave 10 realize that the Arabs are GO
ny TO have a good deal more to say
bout what happens in Arab countries :
han had been expected. Colonel Law
encc. the Frankenstein of the Emir
Teisal. must be somewhat alarmed all
he activity of his creation. optimists
n Washington sec IN the possibility of
he erection Of great Arab state from
'ersia aud Cilicia down TO Alden,
icwer which should compensate Mos
en- pride for the expulsion of the
turks from Europe but optmists have
pt often been right in recent times.
british and French craftsmanship in
he Near East has shown a great deal
{ ingenuity since 1914. but talent of a
iffercut sort seems to be needed now.
lew York Times.