THE HOLY PLACES RESPECTED

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 40, 10 November 1917, Page 9

THE HOLY PLACES RESPECTED

REASSURING REPORT FROM PALESTINE THE ENEMY'S COURTESY I had a long conversation this afternoon with Mr.. Otis Glazebrook, until a few weeks ago the American. Consul at Jerusalem, who has just reached Switzerland after a two months' journey (writes the Berne correspondent of the "Daily News")., Since Turkey's entry into war until his departure in Juno he was .tho semi-official custodian of tho Holy Places. "1 am glad to havq an opportunity," he said,."of reassuring the Christian world about the Holy Places. When I left Palestine they, were not only unharmed, but iwere actually under the jealous and respectful guardianship of Turkish troops. Jerusalem, Nazareth, and Bethlehem, except for the large'garrisons which they shelter, are juet -as they were in the days of pilgrims ond tourists, and 6uch historic and eacred spots as the Mount of Olives,' which I visited before leaving Jerusalem, are unharmed and unchanged. Tho sanio may be said of all parts of the Holy Land. "Last ChTistmus, for instance, I went to Bethlehem and attended the Nativity Mass, celebrated, according to the Latin rite, in the church erected on tho spot where, according to tho tradition, Christ was born. Tho ceremony was perhaps more impressive than at Christmases before tho war!

"■Throughout the war the utmost courtesy and consideration were shown mo. The British colony nt Jerusalem never very large,. Imd, when I left early in June, dwindled down to three ladies. One of these ladies, Miss Macalistor, has a school for blind Arab children, and the other two have the missionary and religious spirit equally developed, only displayed in other directions. All wo held in tho' highest respect by tho Turks They refused to leave. 'If I wero badly treated,' said Miss Macalister, 'I could not leave my blind children, but as I am so well treated there is -no temptation for me to go.' I left these splendid women with regret. British property throughout Palestine lias been scrupulously respected, Tho seals I placed upon the doors of houses belonging to British subjects in Jerusalem early in tho war were there untouched when I left. "I spent. nearly two months in Constantinople, after' leaving Jerusalem. There is suffering and diseaso, but tho accounts which ' circulate abroad about conditions in Turkey are grossly exaggerated. "One. day whilst lounging near the landing stago 011 tho island of Prinkipo I saw a tall, striking-looking man disemlxirk among tho people who had arrived from Constantinople. Ho was extremely well-dressed, looked full of life and vitality, and us 110 walked jauntily twirled a walking cane. All tho Turks whom ho passod, saluted him with profound respect, and he returned their salutes punctiliously. 'Who is that man ?' I said xo a Turk standing at my side. He looted at mo in surprise. 'You're evidently a stranger here,' he replied. 'Why, that is the great General Townshend.' 'You evidently treat him with tho regard due to his position?' I i-hid. 'The 'lurk respects it gallant enemy,' he replied. "General Townshend is treated as a guest rather than a prisoner. I walked ■up and saw the beautiful cottage, everlooking the sea, in which lie lives. Tho lawn was green, and tliero wero bowers of roses, white and red, in abundance, in' his garden. TTe has been elected an honorary member of tho best clubs. "Have you any information about ,tho so-called massacres of 'Jews bv the Turks?" I asked Mr. Glazebrook In conclusion. 1 "No such massacres occurred," he rcpliwl, jv:ith emphasis.