The "Arab movement," so greatly feared by the Turks, has
-spread to Damascus, the great centre of Mussulman thought sand propagandism. The inhabitants are greatly discontented with their Turkish Governor, and placards have been posted over the city denouncing the injustice of the Turks, and calling on all Moslem Arabs to resist them. Whole families have been :arrested in consequence, and it is said that the alarm among the Turkish authorities is very great. There will be alarm also in Constantinople, where it is well understood that the Arabs wait only for an opportunity to rebel, and perhaps proclaim a new Khalif. That was the secret which made the Sultan, on the threat of despatching a fleet to Smyrna, give
Thessaly. He did not think Smyrna would be bombarded, and did not care if it was ; but he knew that the appearance of a, hostile Fleet off Syria would break his prestige, and pre-. -cipitate the Arab rising which some day will break up Turkish rule in-Asia. No one can understand the extraordinary intrigues in the Palace at Constantinople who does not remember that -the Sultan on this side is never free from fear.
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