DAMASCUS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19442, 30 October 1925, Page 7

DAMASCUS

THE FRENCH BOMBARDMENT REPORTS CAUSE SENSATION IN EUROPE GENERAL SARRAIL SAYS ACTION SAVED GREATER DISASTER

Though it is probable that the report* the punishment which the French meted out to the population of Damascus will prove to have been exaggerated, a painful sensation has been caused in Europe. General Sarrail, whose recall is demanded, declares that the action taken prevented a greater disaster. The position in Syria is precarious, and France has a difficult task ahead of her.

By Teierraph—Per Praia Aaia.—Cepyncht.

BRITAIN WANTS NEWS FULL STORY NOT AVAILABLE. FUGITIVES ADHERE TO THEIR STATEMENTS. BOMBARDMENT LASTS 50 HOURS. Received October 29, 8.30 p.m.. LONDON, Oct. 29. The full story of the Damascus bombardment has not yet been published in France. The War Ministry stated last night that it was not in a position to confirm or deny the story of the bombardment. The Foreign Ministry issued a statement that the events were exaggerated. The press, however, does not accept the denials, or attempts to minimise them. The “Daily Express’’ specially cabled the secretary of the Palestine Arab Congress respecting the message from Jerusalem announcing the bombardment. The reply states that the story that a number of women and children were buried in the ruins is not verified, but fugitives insist on the truth of their statements. The reply affirms that the French are suppressing the correct news. Bombardment of the densest quarters of the city lasted fifty hours.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

LONDON AMAZED PARADE OF DEAD REBELS IN DAMASCUS LONDON, Oct. 27. Messages from Damascus show that the British Consulate was not damaged, though apparently a certain amount of damage was done to British property, but no British subjects were killed. The “Time’s” corespondent’s reports from Damascus caused amazement in official circles in London, and were extensively quoted in evening papers, especially the story of the parade of dead brigands on the backs of camels and the lack of warning to Europeans except French nationals before the bombardment. The ‘ ‘Star ’ ’ states that the Government will probably claim, compensation for damage to British property and bazaars. FRENCH PRESIDENT ROUSED PREMIER ORDERED TO ACT. Received October 29, 8 p.m. LONDON, Oct. 29. President Doumerge urgently summoned M. Painleve and drew his attention to the serious Damascus reports, instructing M. Painleve to take instant steps to deal with the situation, which was imperilling France’s prestige and French lives and property.

SARRAIL’S RECALL PROBABLE NEW CABINET’S FIRST TASK Received Oct. 29, 7.20 p.m. LONDON, Oct. 29. It is believed General Sarrail’s recall will be among the first acts of the new Cabinet. THE GENERALIS DEFENCE CHOSE LESSER EVIL Received Oct. 29, 7.20 p.m. LONDON, Oct. 29. The 11 Morning Post’s” Paris correspondent says: Well-informed persons admit that General Sarrail at Damascus failed to respect certain international laws. It is understood that in reply to the French Government’s inquiry, General Sarrail states that he had not time to respect the laws in question. If he had borne them, in mind the catastrophe would have been much greater.

CAUSE OF BOMBARDMENT ANOTHER STORY. .Received October 29, 8 p.m. (Sun). LONDON, Oct. 29. A British refugee asserts that the bombardment killed 300 French and several thousand Syrians. It is semi-offieially explained in Paris that when General Gamejin’s column left Damascus, leaving a small French garrison, Druses began looting. The garrison, fearing it would be overwhelmed, decided to shell the quarter which the Druses must cross if they attempted to attack the garrison. FRENCH HARD PRESSED MILITARY RETIREMENT MAY Bri NECESSARY. SARRAIL’S ADMINISTRATION DEPLORED. Received October 29, 8 p.m. LONDON, Oct. 29. . It is feared that despite civil evacuation of Damascus, military retirement will be necessary. It i; announced that 10,000 reinforcements are en route, some from Morocco. Newspapers deplore General Sarrail’s administration, and regret that he obstinately rejected a broad hint that he should return.

SURROUNDED IN DESERT FRENCH COLUMN’S PLIGHT. DESPERATE ENDEAVOUR TO FIGHT THROUGH. Received October 29, 7.30 p.m. (Sun). PARIS, Oet. 28. General Gamelin’s powerful column, consisting of three infantry regiments, cavalry, artillery and tanks, retreating from Mousseifra, is surrounded in the Syrian desert and is desperately endeavouring to fight its way to safety. A CHAOTIC STATE GENERAL SARRAIL BLAMED. FRENCH UNEASY. LONDON, Oct. 28. The "Daily Telegraph’s’’ diplomatic correspondent says that confirmation of the gravity of the situation in Damascus has reached London. Terrible damage was wrought by the French garrison artillery and air bombers as well as by the rioters. The consular body in Damascus is claiming damages against France. Tho correspondent adds: “It must be admitted that since the arrival of General Sarrail the whole country has become chaotic.”

PARIS, Oet. 28. French uneasiness with regard to Damascus is shown by “Le Journal’’ asking whether it is true, as English newspapers declare, that General Sarrail, before the bombardment, omitted to follow the elementary rule in the law of nations, whereby the consular body is informed and due warning given for the evacuation of women and children. “Le Journal’’ says: “It has been stated that the omission led to a protest by the consular body and was transmitted by its doyen the German consul, whose recall General Sarrail then demanded.’’ REFUGEES IN CAIRO APPEAL TO MOSLEMS. CAIRO, Oct. 28. Three hundred and fifty refugees from Damascus, mostly Christians, have arrived at Alexandria. They declare

that the authorities are doing their utmost to prevent people leaving Syria.

JERUSALEM, Oct. 28. The Arab Executive Committee has appealed to the whole of the Moslem world to subscribe to relieve distress in Syria. The committee protests against the conduct of the French authorities in Syria. A DIFFERENT VERSION SMALL LOSS OF LIFE. FRENCH MAKE TACTICAL MISTAKE. LONDON, Oct. 28. The “Times” Damascus correspondent says that while the material havoc was serious enough the fantastic accounts of thousands being killed and the population deserting the city are merely propaganda or refugees’ feverish imaginings. The correspondent’s account was based on an actual inspection which showed that only two foreigners were killed and one Britisher wounded. The casualties among the native population are unlikely to be much greater proportionately. The outbreak -was really the outcome of the situation in Jebeidruse, but the Druses who engaged in pillaging, shooting and incendiarism at Damascus seem not to have acted from political motives but from a desire for plunder. It was a great mistake to display the corpses of brigands on camels paraded through the streets bearing the dangling bodies. It was a revolting spectacle which, instead of overawing the brigands, infuriated the entire populace. One consequence was that the French found the bodies of 12 of their Circassian irregulars deposited outside the city gate three mornings later. The lower elements of the population readily joined forces with tho brigands in attacking the French troops and overwhelming the police.