SARRAIL IN SYRIA

Waikato Times, Volume 99, Issue 16653, 19 November 1925, Page 7

SARRAIL IN SYRIA

DRUSE REBELLION, REPORT to commissi ON. NO COMPLAINTS AGAINST BRITISH General Sarrall, who has been recalled from Syria, examined before a French Commission, detailed the operations against the Druses and the Bombardment of Damascus. Questioned, he stated , he had no complaints to make against tho British representatives, with whom his relatione were amicable. (Austialian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) (Received Nov. 19, 9.30 a.m.) PARIS, November 18. The Parliamentary Commission on Foreign Affairs and tho, Army, examined General Sarrail, who detailed the operations against the Druses. He said the bombardment of Damascus with a few shells ended the revolt, nDd prevented more tragical disturbances. Replying to questions, General Sarrail said although certain local British agents had not maintained the necessary reserve, he had no complaint to make to the British Government. He entertained the best relations with the British representatives in Palestine, and contended the Druse revolt was an episode In the Islamic movement. THE SYRIAN MANDATE. DESIRE FOR REVISION. ENVOY TO LEAGUE OF NATIONS. CONSTANTINOPLE, Nov. 18. A semi-official communique records the arrival of a Syrian envoy, who is en route to Europe in order to ask ihe League 8f Nations, in the name of the Syrians, for the transfer of the mandate to another Power.

ALARMING REPORTS. DESIGNS ON BEIRUT. REBEL FOBCE AMBUSHED. LONDON, Nov. 17. The Damascus correspondent of tho Daily Mail reports an alarming situation. He says strong rebel forces are endeavouring to unite and siezo Beirut, and to cut the Beirut to Damascus railway. The French threaten to bombard Beirut in Ihe event of the rebels entering the town. Large forces are reported to be converging on Damascus, which is at the moment calm. A French force ambushed some rebels at Douma, 10 miles to the north-east. They killed 300. Rebels entered Koukaba, on the western slopes of Mount Hermon, and massacred 30 villagers and two priests. The French have commandeered all motor-cars at Beirut, where they are landing 7000 iirst-class troops. OVERTURES FOR PEACE. NEGOTIATIONS OPENED. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) CAIRO, Nov. 17. The Syrian newspaper Alifboa states that peace negotiations have been opened between the French authorities and the Jebel Druse Sultan.