TOWN BURNED.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume Li, Issue 16894, 26 November 1925, Page 7

TOWN BURNED.

DRUSES MASSACRE INHABITANTS. . FRENCH RELIEVE BESIEGED GARRISON. (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Sydney Sun Cables.) ' ’ BEIRUT, Nov. 24. Heavy fighting occurred at Rachaya, where three French columns relieved a garrison of two thousand besieged in the citadel by Druseu, who burned the town, massacring many inhabitants. The Druses killed the French commander in an ambush. 60,000 SOLDIERS. FRANCE’S NEED IN SYRIA. REBELS GATHER. STRENGTH. LONDON, Nov. 17. Tli situation in Syria is steadily growing worse. “There is now a grave danger,” says the correspondent of the Times at Damascus, “that unless something is speedily done to stein the wave of rebellion it will sweep the whole country.” It is now clear that banditry is rampant throughout, the country, having passed entirely out of the stage of sporadic brigandage and assumed an organised character. It is directed by the Druses, who are daily gaining new adherents. That an adequate force of first-class troops shall be available immediately is vitally important. “The situation indeed is such,” says the -orrespondent, “that it is very doubtful whether 40,000 previously mentioned as the minimum would not suffice. Qualified persons assure me that it would now require at least 60,000 first-class troops to master the situation and restore public security. The. French Government must make up its mind to send a proper army to deal with the situation or else make peace with the Druses. There is no middle course.” DRUSES’ TERMS OF PEACE. COMPLETE INDEPENDENCE. (Reuter’s Telegram.) (Received November 26. 10 a.m.l BTERUT, Nov. 25. The Druse leader Elatrash hag issued a- manifesto, declaring the Druses will not accept- anything less than complete independence.