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.