IN SYRIA.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 November 1925, Page 3

IN SYRIA.

[Australia A N.Z. Cable Association.j THE DAMASCUS BOMBARDMENT. (Received this day at 8.110 a.m.) PATHS, November 11. A member of General Sarrail’s staff, who has just arrived, has given the “ Petit Parisieu ” a new account of the Damascus bombardment, .sensationally Laming Smart, a British representative for the subesquent panic.

General Sarrail was shown the story and agreed to its accuracy. It says that during the afternoon of the 18th September twenty-two rebels, who, after burning Armenian houses, cutting throats and mutilating old women and men, advanced to the headquarters of General Sarrail who ordered that eight shells he fired into the quarters of the revolt. The next morning the bandits, reinforced, attacked and pillaged, Azen Palace and the French resumed the bombardment and destroyed three hundred mud houses. There were 117 casualties, whereof thirteen French soldiers were killed and forty-seven wounded. Fifty Armenians’ throats were cut the following day. The rebels handed over three thousand rifles and liostiities ceased.

The resultant panic was due to Smart’s action in placarding the town with a proclamation informing Britishers they should leave Damascus and offering no guarantee of refuge. Smart subsequently issued a second placard stating the bombardment was recommencing and inviting Britishers to attend the Consulate with a view to their despatch to a safety zone. This undoubtedly created the panic as there was no reason to fear a resumption, General Sarrail having promised fo warn Smart in the event of re-shelling.