Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1926. THE FRENCH IN SYRIA.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLVI, Issue 10670, 15 February 1926, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1926. THE FRENCH IN SYRIA.

If it be true that the French High Commissioner in Syria has been instructed to make the best terms possible with the Druses, as men and money" for a further offensive are not available, a very serious position -will be created. Negotiations for peace have been proceeding for months, the main .obstacle being the failure to reach accord in regard to the question of Syria making over the territory' annexed by Lebanon in 1920 and that of granting an amnesty to the rebel leaders. The position was outlined a month or two ago by the Damascus correspondent of "The Times," in .the following words: "It is now perfectly, clear that political brigandage is rampant, and has assumed an organised character, directed by Druses or their sympathisers. People in touch with Druse circles affirm that 4000 Druse horse and foot are now with the various leaders, and Sultan Pasha .el Atrash, who remains at the Jebel, regularly , sends out reinforcements. The insurgents' plan of ■ campaign is to take action in the rural districts in order to stimulate the people to join the insurgents. At present the French are holding the principal towns and the railways, ami reinforcements nave been sent to such junctions as Deraa and Eayak. This is ; merely palliative, koweyer. Much more strenuous measures are called for. The local authorities are admittedly greatly handicapped by lack of troops. Moreover, the rebels have got into their heads as the result of sue-, cess that they are more than a match for any troops the French may send against them. It is essential that adequate troops of good quality should be available immediately." When the Damascus trouble 'broke out it was recognised that the forces at the disposal of the High Commissioner were inadequate, and it was stated —and has since been repeatedly emphasised that heavy reinforcements were on the way. The promised additions, however, were not sent, the reinforcements being mere handful of no real value. "The Times" correspondent thus commented on the courses open to the French: "The iFrench Government must make up its mind either to send a proper army to deal with the situation or make terms with the Druses: There is no middle course. Everyone knowing' the facts of'the case agrees with the view I advanced in my first despatch that the Druses question is the key of the whole situation. Either they must be beaten in battle, or peace must be made with them, and, considering all the circumstances, provided French prestige be safeguarded, the latter appears the soundest course, and most in accordance with the spirit of the mandate." That view of the position may have been current upon the assumption that France was in a position to meet any demands made upon her. But the sending of inadequate reinforcements had the effect of extending the guerilla warfare, and when once the rebellious tribes learn that France is at the limit of her resources a recrudescence of the trouble is only to be expected. The transfer of the Syrian mandate from France has been mooted already, and it is probable the League of Nations will be forced to take some action to remedy the present state of affairs