Tues. Dec 2 [2 December 1913] Called on Muhammad Bassams
wife who told me she never left the house; has been twice to the Great
Mosque since she came to Damascus [Dimashq (Esh Sham,
Damas)]. Bassam says it's all nonsense about the meeting of the
sheikhs. They wd never agree. Lunched in the bazaar with the
Bruntons, Brays and Mr Price. Went to see Atta Bey Killani and his
women - very friendly. Mr Devey came in with Mr Price and his horrid
Jew, Reutlinger. Walked with them as far as the mosque and on to
the Mackinnons where I had tea with them and Mr Ward. Loytved
came to dine. Says England is everything here, partly because of the
example of Egypt, partly because we have no military service and
partly because we leave trade free. Cumberbatch plays a
considerable role, witness his insisting on the opening of the Unionist
club in Beyrout [Beyrouth (Beirut)]. Devey is .... to traffic in arms with
the Druzes. He thinks France established here wd be dangerous to
our Egyp. Frontier. Talked of Dick.