Athens, Greece, Nov. 20. — Reports of massacres of Christians in Jaffa, Palestine, caused the commander of the Russian cruiser Oleg to weigh anchor and depart hurriedly for that district today.

Although without confirmation of the reported massacre, the officials here admit they have been apprehensive of such troubles on the Syrian coast, where the religious differences between the Mohammedans and the Christians are more pronounced than in any other part of the Ottoman Empire.

American interests in that quarter are large, not only owing to the extensive fruit trade, but because of the presence of a large number of American missionary and educational institutions. Within twenty miles of Jaffa, which is the port of Jerusalem, are three important American missionary stations, Tavybieh, Ramallah, and Ain Areck. There is also a large Jewish population, but so far it is not known that they have been disturbed by the Turks or Arabs, whose ill-feeling appears to be directed solely against Christians.

Two foreign warships have been lying at Beirut, about 150 miles north of Jaffa, and presumably one of these has been dispatched to the latter port. Rear Admiral Knight, on the armored cruiser Tennessee, is now speeding directly for Beirut. His ship is due at Gibraltar today, but it will require almost a week’s time for the cruiser to take on coal and traverse the length of the Mediterranean to the Syrian coast.

Original Source

November 21, 1912 | © The Washington Post

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