RUINS OF DAMASCUS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19440, 28 October 1925, Page 9

RUINS OF DAMASCUS

MUCH DAMAGED BY SHELL FIRE. BIG AREA DEMOLISHED. LONDON. Oct. 26. The Times’ Damascus correspondent in lifting the veil as to the actual situation in Damascus, says that St. Paul’s “street called straight” (mentioned in Acts, chapter 9, verso 11) is almost I destroyed and lies in ruins, as the result of the French shell lire, the bazaars j and shops destroyed, and the whole; area round the street is more or less demolished. Beautiful domes of mosques have been badly holed and mosaic windows shattered. Words fail to describe the spectacle which, the sacred ancient city presents with some of its choicest historic spots in ruins. There was much looting on the night prior to the bombardment, mainly by Druse gangs. The old city resounded far and wide with the sound of rifle shots. French tanks at high speed traversed the streets, firing guns for demonstration purposes. The bombardment lasted for 48 hours and only ceased when notables agreed to pay a heavy fine and to surrender, all rifles.