FREED FROM INFIDEL OCCUPATION

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 69, 14 December 1917, Page 7

FREED FROM INFIDEL OCCUPATION

BRITISH COMMANDER ENTERS

JERUSALEM

UNIVERSAL REJOICINGS

(Rec. December 13, 8.45 p.m.) London, December 12. Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr. Lloyd George read a telegram from General Allenby announcing that he entered Jerusalem on foot on December 11. Guards were placed at the holy places, and the Jlosque of Omar was placed under Mohammedan control.—Router. The population of Jerusalem, added Mr. Lloyd George, had received Genoral Allenby well. A proclamation in various languages was read to the population from the stops of the Citadel and posted on tho walls. It was addressed to "The inhabitants of Jerusalem tho Blossed, and tho people dwelling in its vicinity," announcing that the city had been placcd under martial law, which would remain in operation as long as military considerations mado it necessary. "However," continued tho General in his proclamation, "lest any of you should bo alarmed by reason of your exnerionco at tho hands of the enemy, I inform you that it is my desire that every person should pursue bis lawful business without fear or interruption. Furthermore, since your city is regarded with affection by th© adherents of three groat religions of mankind and its Goil consecrated by the prayers and pilgrimages of multitudes of the dovout people of theso religions for many centuries. therefore do I make known to ,»vou that every sacred building, monument, holy spot, shrine, traditional site, endowment, pious bequest, or customary place of prayer of whatsoever form, of the three religions, will be maintained and protected according to the existing customs and beliefs of thoso to wlioso faith they are sacred."—Reuter.

LIBERATED, NOT CAPTURED. London, December 12. It is understood that General Alienby and his staff entered Jerusalem on foot, to emphasise that tho city was liberated and not .captured.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablei Assn. CHURCH CELEBR ATIONS IN ENGLAND. London, December 12. There were special celebratfrms at various places of worship, including the singing of aTo Dcnm at St. Paul's Cathedral, to mark the occupation of Jerusalem. —Ueuter. GREAT JEWISH DEMONSTRATION • IN RUSSIA. Odessa, December 12. There was a great Jewish demonstration on the people learning of Britain's plans regarding the Jews in Palestine. Fifteen thousand people took part in a procession two miles long. They marched past the British Consulate, and asked the Consul to convey their gratitudo to Britain. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. CITY UNDAMAGED. Rome, December 12. The Patriarch of Jerusalem has telegraphed to the Pope, stating that the city is undamaged. Not a shot was fired against ' it— Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. HOW THE GERMANSKXPLAIN THE LOSS Amsterdam, December 12. A German semi-official report admits that tho evacuation of Jerusalem was involuntary, but declares that tho reason the citv fell was the desiro of Turkey and Germany to prevent tho ground, sacred to all God-fearing people, from becoming the scene of bloody fightinc. The report adds: "The town is militarily worthless."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SULTAN UPSET BY RECENT DISASTERS. Berne, December 12. The Sultan of Turkey is seriously ill, suffering from a breakdown following tho British victories in Palestine and Mesopotamia—Aus.-N.Z, Cable Assn. advanciTcontinued (Roc. Decomber 13, 8.45 p.m.) London, December 13. Palestine Official.—"Our line lias been advanced midway between Jerusalem and Jaffa. _ Tho. Ghurkas have captured two positions northward of Midieh." —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.Reutor.