The News from Zion
(From our Correspondent.)
JAFFA, April 3.—Immediately after the attack, Assef Bey, the Kamaikan, telegraphed to the Constantinople government, stating that by request of the Russian Vice-Consul, he had quelled a revolutionary disturbance by the Jews, the truth of which was confirmed by the governor of Jerusalem. He furthermore stated that the Jews had fired upon one another and that the police had had no hand in the carnage. This theory has already been disproved, since not a single weapon or stick was found in the Jewish hotel; on the contrary, a few mauser bullets have been found in the hotel, which, it was proved, Daud Effendi, the chief of the Gendarmes, had fired.
The governor wired whatever he wished to justify the attack, and no contradictory telegrams were allowed to pass, and special messenger had to be sent to Port Said to wire abroad.
A few days after the Russian General Consul came up from Jerusalem and made a thorough investigation of the disturbance. He was indignant, and said: "The Jews have been unjustly attacked, and I think that the Jaffa Vice-Consul must have been duped by his dragoman Debas (who is a Jew-baiter)."
He demanded satisfaction from the Jerusalem governor. Moreover, every foreign Consul is supporting the cause of the Jews, for they believe that the Jews were wronged.
The representatives of the Jaffa and Jerusalem communities have united to fight this matter to an issue, and to demand redress and compensation. Their first demand was the deposition of the Jaffa Governor. To this effect they had several interviews with
the Pasha, and the latter, though he now sees the mistake made, cannot acknowledge it publicly, and therefore is not able to offer proper satisfaction. However, the Kaimakan yesterday received orders from Constantinople to proceed there at once, and at time of writing we do not know whether he has been deposed or called for trial. We are as yet ignorant as to the effect produced by this incident abroad. In any case, the Jaffa and Jerusalem communities are determined, cost what it may, to obtain justice and satisfaction in this matter, and the restoration of its honor and prestige in the eyes of the Mohammedan and Christian population.
Meanwhile, Jaffa is assuming its former peaceful aspect. People are venturing forth in the night as in former days. Police attacks will never more occur, and it is a fact that the government officials curse the hour when the Purim attack was made. Such a storm of indignation they have never faced before.
The tourist season is now in full swing. The hotels are crowded, especially in Jerusalem, and food commodities have risen still higher in consequence. The olive wood manufacturers are doing good business, especially is it a good time for boatmen, porters, coachmen and dragomen, when the English and American travelers visit Palestine.
Jaffa is now filled with the fragrance of the orange blossoms. The windows must be kept shut so as not to admit the perfume which causes headache and indisposition.