THE SYRIAN CRISIS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19446, 4 November 1925, Page 7

THE SYRIAN CRISIS

SURROUNDED BY BRIGANDS DAMASCUS IN SORRY PLIGHT. DEEP RESENTMENT AGAINST FRANCE. SITUATION AGGRAVATED. By Tclearraph—Per Presa —Copyright LONDON Nov. 2. The “Times’ ” Damascus correspondent says: The city remains quiet. The people arc thoroughly depressed, but underneath keen irritation and resentment are apparent over the fate that has befallen Ihe city. The Trams have partially resumed running. One of the main bazaars has resumed business and the people who fled from the city arc gradually returning. But it the townsfolk are subdued, not so the ■ brigands who are roaming the surrounding districts. None of the roads outside the city is safe. The French are doing thoir best to , relievo the situation, but they must I await heavy reinforcements from 'France, whsn it is hoped to plan a 'comprehensive enveloping movement. The situation is rendered more serij ous by the daily increasing strength of the brigands, owing to the French I burning the villages in which they are reported to have been allowed to take refuge, converting the villagers thus rendered homeless into brigands. It if stated now that upwards of 80,000 an i homeless. i A HOLOCAUST PRISON BOMBARDED. 1200 PRISONERS PERISH. Received November 3, 7.15 p.m. LONDON, Nov. 2.

A message received by the National Political League states that in the revolt at Damascus the prison was bombarded, and all the prisoners, numbering 1200, perished.

PALESTINE ARABS STOP WORK PROTEST AGAINST DAMASCUS ATROCITIES. GUERILLA WARFARE SHAKING FRENCH CONTROL. Received Nov. 3. 8.5 p.m. LONDON, Nov. * The National Political Leagu® received a cablegram from Jerusalem stating that Palestine Arabs struck on the anniversary of the Balfour declaration as a protest against the Damascus atrocities. Guerilla warfare in Syria is enveloping vast areas of country between Homs and Damascus and has shaken French control. Another message says that eleven villages in the Damascus district have joined the guerillas, who are now besieging four towns.