Subject: 20th Cent History, TE Lawrence and the Arabs

Question: In the 1920s Lawrence wrote a letter to the editor of the
Times of London disputing the common perception of the time that
during WWI the Arabs, having captured Damascus, were incapable of
administering it. That is, they were incapable of running a complex,
modern city, restoring and maintaining water and electricity supply,
running the hospitals, etc. Lawrence said that the Arabs succesfully
ran the city for two years before British Army engineers arrived in
numbers. Lawrence said summing up: "Government wants more character
than brains."

In David Lean's movie "Lawrence of Arabia" the Arabs pretty much make
a shambles of running Damascus because of ignorance of modern
technology and tribal factions and squabbling. This view is consistent
with that apparently prevailing in London in the 20s, and to which
Lawrence responded.

You can read an account of the 20s London 'dispute' and Lawrence's
letter in Robert Grave's biography of Lawrence (don't remember title).

Question: Which version is closer to the truth?

Price: $15

Lawrence was the 'expert' with actual experience in the field so, in
my opinion, his assessment made at the time has much more credibility
than any film maker's concoction umpteen years later.

The movies always strive for drama, rarely ever (possibly never?) for accuracy.

> Question: Which version is closer to the truth?<

Aristophanes --

Researchers strive as far as possible to provide objective answers. 
Tossing this in as part of your question will discourage many from
even trying to answer this question.

On the other hand, if you'd asked for an assessment of "what does
history say about the two sides of the argument" you'd likely garner
more interest.

Best regards,

Omnivorous-GA

A rather detailed website:
http://www.lawrenceofarabia.info/

Links:
http://www.jordanjubilee.com/history/lawrence.htm