FRENCH IN SYRIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 July 1920, Page 5

FRENCH IN SYRIA.

EXCITING INCIDENT RECORDED. By Telegraph.—l'reaa Assn.—Copyright. Received July 20, 5.5 p.m. Cairo, July 25. A dramatic incident preceded the Syrian acceptance of the French ultimatum. The iSyrian Congress at Damascus heatedly discussed the situation, and rejected the Ministry's conciliatory advice. The Ministry tendered its resignation, which Feisul refused to accept. A delegation of extremists called at the Palace later and demanded acceptance, declaring: "If tlie Ministry does not fall you will fall." Feisul ordered the instant arrest of the delegation and their internment in the citadel. Then a mob attacked the citadel and released the delegation, whereupon Feisul's partisans fought the extremists for two days. The outbreak ended with the approa'ch of French troops.—Times Service. FRENCH IN DAMASCUS.

Received July 2G, S.SO p.m. Paris, July 25,

Advices from Beirut state that in eonsequence of Sheriffian regular troops attacking a 6mall French garrison holding the pass from Chomli, en route to Tripoli, the French decided to occupy Damascus, their advance upon which had been suspended conditionally upon the French forces not being attacked. The French, after a long fight, routed Feisul's forces in the mountains between the plains of Bekaa and Damascus, capturing nine guns and considerable equipment. Feisul's War Minister was among the killed. The French, whose losses were slight, occupied Damascus. —Keuter Service.