TURKEY.

Marlborough Press, Volume I, Issue 40, 6 October 1860, Page 3

TURKEY.

MASSACRE OF CHRISTIANS IN SYRIA. The Home News says :—Since the publication of our last the Eastern question has become one of the foremost topics of the day. The disturbances in Syria have assumed enormous proportions. In the first place, we learned that the town of Zahli, the last refuge of the Christians, had been attacked by the Druses, and a thousand of the Christian inhabitants had been murdered ; while other acts of incendiarism, pillage, and murder had also been perpetrated in the anti-Lebanun. Next, we were informed that on the 9th of July the city of Damascus was attacked by the Druses, and 500 Christians massacred. The consulates, with the exception of the English, were burnt down, the Turkish authorities having shown themselves unable or unwilling to put a stop to the massacres. After this, intervention was openly spoken of. France, England, and Russia each took steps for the protection of the Christians by sending a naval squadron to the coast of Syria. The Porte, too, gave full powers to Fuad Pacha, who proceeded to Syria with a force of 16,000 men, under the command of Halim Pacha. It is stated, at present, that France is perfectly willing, in the interest of the European Powers, to take up single-handed the cause of the Christians; and immense armaments are being prepared at Toulon for an expedition to Syria. A telegram dated Marseilles, July 24, contains the following announcements: — ‘ Orders have been given for the simul-

taneous embarcation of troops at Marseilles, Toulon, and Algiers, with the shortest possible delay. Two regiments from Chalons have just arrived at Toulon. The reserved squadron will be armed, the motives for which are stated to be the fresh exigencies of the service.” The Moniteur of July 22nd, announces that the propositions of the Emperor of the French, with a view to stop the effusion of blood in Syria, and to protect the Christian populations, h?ive been accepted by the great Powers; that England will assist with her ships, and that she admits the fitness of sending a body of troops, of which France is to furnish the whole, or the greater part: that Austria and Russia hold the same opinion: that the Prussian Minister of Foreign Affairs is to take the orders of the Prince Regent; that a convention is to be signed, specifying the character and object of the European intervention ; and that all that is now awaited is the assent of the Porte. The semi-official Moniteur de la Flotte says:— If we are well informed, the vessels which are fitted out with all haste at Toulon are destined for the conveyance to Syria of an advanced guard of 5000 men, under the command of General de Beaufort d’Hautpoul. The troops which are taken from the camp of Chalons will soon be sent to Toulon, and may reach Beyrout in the beginning of next month. The general officer to whom this mission is confided is is well calculated for it, as his long service in Algeria has made him well acquainted with the enemies with whom he will have to contend. The object is not only to occupy Beyrout, and to protect that town, and make it a place of refuge for the unfortunate Christians, for the vessels of war now there could have effected that purpose; but it is the centre of the exploits of the murderers, Damascus, that must be attacked, and their bands destroyed. The number pf men sent at first may appear insufficient, but other troops will doubtless shortly follow if the other Powers do not co-operate with us in this work of humanity. A letter from Marseilles states :— 11 The preparations for embarking troops for Syria are continued with great activity here and at Toulon. The first expedition will not exceed ten thousand or twelve thousand men. Colonel Osmont, of the Staff, has sailed for Beyrout, with three orderly officers, to make preparations for the reception of the troops in Syria.” The Dutch and Austrian Governments have sent ships of war to the coast of Syria. The Post of July 24, says that it is not known whether the Porte consents to the kind of interference proposed by the Emperor of the French. The same journal is informed that there is a prospect of a pacific solution of the Syrian question in the shape of an arrangement or treaty which is said to have been entered into by theDruses and Maronites.