THE POET'S SONG
WHEN the latest news from the battlefield reached the ears of the people, telling them that the enemy had seized upon the capitol, with looks of awe they awaited the morning. Fortress after fortress was delivered into the hands of the enemy, and together with these the lives of thousands of the bravest. Widows and orphans wept over the graves of their dearest; loving souls lamented over their lost paradise; and all mourned the disgrace about to fall their beloved country.
The tactics of the most cunning were in vain—the enemy was undeterred; the boldness of the bravest was in vain—the enemy was unconquerable; the ingenuity of the most profound was in vain—the enemy was invincible.
And the people at length demanded that the King himself join the battling ranks!
* * *
And when the poet realized the serious condition of his country, a desire for venge filled his grieving heart.
He seized his pen, and with a superhuman effort let his sensitive feelings flow generously from his deeply offended soul.
He wrote a warrior song.
Convulsively his arm moved to and fro across the paper, joining words into verses that seemed to be placed there like an army of obedient soldiers, awaiting command. And from each and every verse there rang mighty accords that told the warriors of their duty, and incited them to fight the battle bravely to its bloody end. Ever higher and higher ascended the accords, mightier and mightier was the inspiring call —deeper and deeper was the song impressed with the inspired soul of the poet.
And when the poet at length completed his work, k.e suddenly felt young and in good spirits. "Revenge!" cried every fibre
of his soul. "Die, or Conquer!" calling him to the battlefield.
But soon the poet fell exhausted into his armchair, his lips muttering the song which his inspired soul had just created.
soul
And when the poet departed—his song remained the eternal possession of the warriors, and from far and near rang the rejoicings of the people.
"Hail! our poet."—"May your soul rest in peace!—"You are with us here—in our ranks—fighting your country's battles—your weapon is your song!"
Governor of Jerusalem
The Constantinople correspondent of the Jewish Chronicle writes:
The Governor of Jerusalem, Soubhy Bey, has been summoned here by the Grand Vizier in order to furnish certain information as to the differences prevailing between the different sections of the Christain popula.ion on the subject of Jewish immigration into Palestine. Soubhy Bey paid a visit to the Chief Rabbi, to whom he renewed the expressions of the good will which he entertains towards us. He stated that there unfortunately existed a good deal of irregularity in the administration of the funds of the different Jewish communities in Jerusalem, which he was most anxious to see remedied. The Governor further requested the Chief Rabbi to proceed to Jerusalem next month, in order to formulate the necessary measures for reforming and ameliorating the condition of the community of the Jewish institutions in Jerusalem.
Ferid Bey Resigns
The resignation of Ferid Bey, the Turkish Minister of the Interior, has been announced. Ferid Bey was known as an advocate of the system of giving red passports to Jewish immigrants to Palestine.
The forced resignation of Ferid Bey may be the first step in the conflict with the liberal reactionaries which the Young Turks are inevitably bound to face.