"Sir,—I have noticed with the deepest sympathy the statement made last evening in the House of Lords that, owing to the recent outbreak in Syria, there are twenty thousand of the Christian inhabitants, including women and children, wandering over its mountains exposed to the utmost peril. Being intimately acquainted with the nature of that country and the condition of its people, I appreciate, I am sorry to say, but too painfully the vast amount of misery that must have been endured, and which is still prevalent.
"I believe that private benevolence may do something towards the alleviation of the distress of the unhappy multitude now defenceless, homeless, and destitute.
"I well know, from experience, the philanthropy of my fellow-countrymen, and I venture to think that the public would gladly, and without delay, contribute to the raising of a fund to be applied as circumstances may require, and under judicious management, for the relief of these unfortunate objects of persecution.
"I would suggest, therefore, that a small, active, and influential committee be at once formed, with the view of raising subscriptions and of placing themselves in communication with the British Consul-General at Beyrout, and the other British Consular authorities throughout Syria, so that assistance may be rendered by the remittance of money and the transmission of necessary supplies; and I take the liberty of enclosing my cheque for £200 towards the proposed fund.
"Your recent eloquent and judicious advocacy of the cause of the Syrian Christians has encouraged me to address you, and will, I trust, be a sufficient excuse for my so doing.—I have the honour to be, Sir, yours faithfully,
"Moses Montefiore."
"East Cliff Lodge, Ramsgate, July 11th."
July 27th.—Sir Culling E. Eardly and Sir James Fergusson apprised Mr N. Moore, Consul-General at Beyrout, of the formation of the British Syrian Relief Committee. Lord Palmerston, Lord Stratford de Redcliffe, Lord John Russell, Lord Overstone, the Earl of Shaftesbury, Sir Moses Montefiore, Mr A. P. Kennard, Baron Rothschild, and many others were contributors to the fund.
"We have already," the honorary secretaries write, "by the kindness of Lord Wodehouse, Under Secretary of State, sent you a telegraphic message through the Foreign Office, authorising you to draw upon us for £1000."
The Committee included the Marquis of Lansdowne, Sir Moses Montefiore, the Lord Mayor of London, the Earl of Malmesbury, Lord Stanley, M.P., Baron Rothschild, the Bishop of London, Sir Charles Napier, M.P., Mr Austen Layard, &c.
August 1st.—We find Lord Stratford de Redcliffe acting as President, and Sir Moses Montefiore as Chairman, of the Executive Committee of the British Syrian Relief Fund.
Sir Moses, when in England, attended almost all the meetings, and continued to be one of the most active members until the year before his death, when he and Mr H. W. Freeland were the only trustees of the fund. The amount left with their bankers at that time was £180. The Committee in London was assisted by a Committee in Beyrout, under the Presidency of Mr N. Moore, the British Consul-General. They also had the co-operation of Mr Consul Brant in Damascus. Much good was accomplished. By the end of August £7500 had already been remitted for distribution among the sufferers.
Circulars were issued to the leading Jews of Europe, accompanied by copies of an address of the Chief Rabbi to the Jewish community at large, and the result was a generous contribution to the Fund.
The English and French Governments intervened, and a convention was signed at Paris, twelve thousand men to be sent by France.
Fuad Pasha, in the same month, proceeded to Damascus, and severely punished the Mohammedans implicated in the massacres; 160 of all ranks, including the Governor, were executed.
General Hautpoul, at the head of four thousand French soldiers, landed at Beyrout; and there was every reason to hope that peace would soon be restored, and that all feeling of animosity among the various nationalities would cease.