White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1931-06-04


A TRAIL rich in history and dotted
II with ruin and living cities that
have played important roles
in world affairs is being trav-
ersed by the Trans-Asia expedition
which recently left Beyrouth (Beirut),
Syria, by motor caravan for journey
of more than 5000 miles to Peiping
(Peking), over the mountains and des-
erts of the worlds greatest continent.
The expedition, with which the Ma
tional Geographic society is co-operat-
Ing, Is travelling in seven especially de-
signed tractor-cars, capable Of nego-
tiating the most difficult terrain. Its
personnel Of specialists has the latest
apparatus to aid in the collection Of
scientific data. This equipment in
cludes motion picture and sound-re-
cording mechanisms, a Photographic
laboratory, a mobile radio station, and
facilities for the collection and pres
ervation Of botanical, geological and
geological specimens.
Leaving Beyrouth (Beirut), the
chief port of Syria, the expedition first
traversed that French inundated terri
tory, passing through Damascus and
on into Iraq, stopping at Bagdad.
Syria, at the eastern end Of the
Mediterranean, finds itself wedged be-
tween Turkey and Palestine and with
Its back against Iraq and desert Ara
bia. Heavier rains give agriculture
better chance in Syria than in Pales-
tine, so improved political conditions
should see an increase in such stand
ard crops as licorice to flavor Ameri-
can chewing tobacco, olives, cotton,
tobacco and wheat.
The Republic Of Syria appeared sew
en- years after the establishment by
France Of the first republic in her
republic which incloses the famous
mountains of Liban or Lebanon and
runs down to the Mediterranean shore.
This later republic, with it's capital at
the ancient Moslem center Of Damas-
Gus, includes by no means all Of the
area of the mandate. In addition to
omitting the Lebanese republic 1t also
excludes the state of the Alouites, and
the state of Djebel Druze, mountain
home Of the fiery Druze tribesmen,
the Unitarians Of Islam.
Four Religions, Many crceds.
Religion draws the political bound
aries in the Syrian mandate. Not only
Is the independence of the Alouites
and the Druzes recognized for reli-
gious reasons, but also the new Syrian
republic and the Lebanese republic
represent Moslem republic and a
Christian republic respectively.
-Four religious states in an area no
larger than Georgia still leave many
rreeds out in the political cold. To
recognize them all would require cut
ting Syria up into more pieces than
Blue Beard ever chopped his wives
Syria's creeds and peoples are WOW
en- of many odds and ends. Three
tourths of the population of 100000
are Mohammedans, but part of them
as different in point Of view as Cath
plies and Protestants. Then there are
The Alouites whose secret religion is
believed to be halfway between Mo-
hammedanism and Christianity, and
the Druzes who usually attend the
Unitarian church when they emigrate
to the United States, and the hereti-
cal Ismailis, who were the original
Assassins Of Crusader times.
The country hopes to regain it's an
cient privileges and perquisites as
doorkeeper to Asia. The vast trade
of both Persia and Iraq with Europe
and the New World that now goes
clear around the Arabian peninsula
could find short cut across Syria II
only the Berlin to Bagdad railroad
could be finished. Recent completion
Of the last link in the Asia Minor rail-
line which makes possible through
service from Cairo to Calais has al
ready brought Syria into a more IA
vorable position.
Much to Attract vicitors.
But at present the country is living
on hope and America. Thousands of
Syrians have come to both North and
South America. Whole villages in the
Lebanon have been abandoned for
fruit stands in the New World. Some
times the ex-Syrians send back money ;
sometimes they go back with their
money and live like lords, and in
honor Of the source Of their wealth re-
name their streets. One town now has
a Brazil street named SO by returned
and retired emigrants.
Sterilization of the gov ernments of
IKE Syrian mandate will undoubtedly
bring a higher tide of tourist travel