King's Business - 1915-02

(The entry of Turkey into the European war has created a very serious situa­ tion for our foreign missionaries in Mohammedan lands. That the readers of the “K in g ’ s B u sin e ss ” may realize something of the situation, wè reprint the following representative article from the "Assembly Herald." Will our readers not give this work a special place in their prayers?— E ditors .) S figgESHE SYRIAN PRESBY- TERIAN MISSION lies within the shadow of the K ® war cloud. Though not fighting (when this was written) Turkey is mobilizing. This ship required that no telegrams ex­ cept those stamped as official should be published. Immediately, the Ara­ bic newspapers ceased publication. The government retorted by threat­ ening to cancel the permits unless they published what was furnished them. The purpose of the- govern­ ment in thus stifling news was ap­ parent.

has resulted in confusion, financial pan­ ic and oppression on the part of gov­ ernment officials. As soon as war broke out on the continent, Austrian, Ger­ man, French and Russian subjects were recalled to their own countries. There was also cessation of all steamship ser­ vice in the eastern part of the Medi­ terranean. Austria followed by Rus­ sia and France called their vessels home. Upon receiving these orders, the steamers dropped all responsi­ bility of freight and passengers and sailed for their home ports. This served to isolate the Mission and to interfere both with the forwarding of mails and passengers. For a num­ ber of weeks communication with the Syrian Mission was cut off. When the war first broke out, the air was filled with the wildest rumors and the naturally excitable temperaments of the Syrians caught the panic. Wild rumors were accepted as truth. At one time it was reported by the son of a prominent Pasha that Ger­ many had taken possession of Bel­ gium and had installed a Moslem Pasha as ruler. The newspapers at first were allowed to print every re­ port that was wafted from Europe by way of Vienna and Constantino­ ple. Then the government censor-

The war also has had its effect on the financial situation, making it almost impossible to obtain gold from any source except small loans from the natives of the country at the highest rate of interest. Thè Mis­ sion, however, was able, through its treasurer, to negotiate a loan in Egypt, and more recently the Board has been able to transmit a thousand pounds by cable. The missionaries write that while it has taken most care­ ful financing, they have been able to get along up to the present time and keep the work going. The greatest anxiety in the Syrian Mission has been created by the proclamation of the Turkish govern­ ment abrogating the Capitulations. Under the shelter of these Capitula­ tions the foreign work has been built up. There is reason to fear that if this abrogation is carried into effect the position of foreigners and their work may be seriously jeopardized. According to the popular understand­ ing the government expects to abol­ ish the foreign post offices, seize all the concessions and enterprises such

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