TIME OF TERROR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19441, 29 October 1925, Page 7

TIME OF TERROR

FRENCH SHELL DAMASCUS MERCILESS PUNISHMENT OF REBELS BOMBS, TANKS AND ARMOURED CARS DEAL DEATH The wireless reports of dread days in Damascus, published yesterday, were apparently not without foundation. It is evident that the French dealt out relentless punishment to the inhabitants of the town for their alleged association with rebel rioters whose object was the kidnapping of General Sarrail. The reports vary, and are probablyexaggerated, but there can be no doubt that the population of Damascus has passed through a terrible ordeal.

By Telegraph—Per Press Ann.—Copyright.

SUPPRESSION OF RIOTS

FRENCH INFLICT TERRIBLE PUNISHMENT. CROWDS BOMBED AND SHELLED. HUNDREDS OF VICTIMS IN STREETS. Received October 28, 7.35 p.m. (Reuter). CAIRO, Oct. 27. Varying reports from Damascus indicate that the town passed through a terrible ordeal from October 19 to October 20. It bears marks of the relentless measures taken to suppress riots following the action of the French in parading the corpses of bandits in the streets. A traveller from Damascus says that during the afternoon of October 18 a band of men headed by a chief, Hassan El Karrath, penetrated into the Chagour quarter, shouting: “Rise up, your brothers the Druscs are here.” They attacked a police post and shot dead a French officer. The inhabitants of tho quarter armed themselves and joined the insurgents. All advanced towards the Medan quarter, where they joined the inhabitants.

A hundred Frenchmen, working with Armenians in this quarter, caught between the insurgents and another body of rebels from the town, died fighting bravely.

Suddenly an aeroplane appeared ai d bombed the crowds, and tanks, armoured ears and other aeroplanes followed. All joined in spreading death among the rebels, who fled in all directions from the terrible retribution. Insurgents continued to fire on the public from military buildings, barricaded the streets and set fire to certain quarters. Finally artillery opened fire from the Citadel on the rebel quarters. The French made it known that the bombardment would not cease till the rebel fire ceased. The bombardment lasted from Sunday night till Tuesday. Shells destroyed the Chagour and Medan quarters, while part of Hamidich bazaar and other places Were destroyed by fire. The Palace of Azra, one of the finest monuments in the East, was damaged. Hundreds of victims were lying in the streets. Probably at least two thousand wore buried beneath demolished buildings. Apparently Christians escaped. The French sent 2000 soldiers to the Christian quarters, which the insurgents had not attacked directly. Damascus notables, during the afternoon of October 20, presented themselves before the High Commissioner and undertook to fulfil all the French Government’s requirements. Martial law was declared and anyone found in possession of arms was executed.

ANOTHER STORY ATTEMPTED KIDNAPPING OF GENERAL SARRAIL. BOMBARDMENT TO FRIGHTEN PEOPLE. Received October 28, 7.35 p.m. CAIRO, Oct. 27. Another version says that six organised bands were working around Damascus. A band entered Damascus on October 18, composed of forty men only, under Hassancl Karrath, intending to kidnap General Sarrail. The French bombarded the city to frighten the population, whom they accused of connivance with the bands, and having informed the latter o” the date of General Sarrail’s arrival in Damascus. The rebels remained in Damascus till October 20, and only retired because their presence was taken as a pretext to bombard the city. It is alleged that the rebels did nothing reprehensible. Hassan-el Karrath visited the Christian quarters, tranquillising them, saying: “Lou are our brothers.” It is also claimed that* large numbers of Moslems took refuge in the Christian quarters during the bombardment and were well received. STILL ANOTHER VERSION

SEEKING REVENGE. Received October 28, 7.30 p.m. CAIRO, Oct. 27. Still another version says that a band attacked Damascus to avenge themselves on Armenians in tho Medan quarters, who it was alleged had enrolled in the French army. Generally, bands remain around Damascus, perhaps strengthened by men from Damascus, whose houses were destroyed and families killed. CAVALRY FROM MOROCCO REGIMENTS SENT TO SYRIA. GENERAL SARRAIL WANTS FREINFORCEMENTS.

Received October 28. 7.10 p.m. (Timos). LONDON, Oct. 27. Tho “Times’” Paris correspondent states that two French cavalry regiments from Morocco have gone to Syria, where tho situation is officially described as not satisfactory. It is admitted that there is an agitation not only at Damascus but in the surrounding region. Apart from this the French press is without official Syrian information.