Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-07-21
The CIrII war m srrln-

The Civil War IN Syria.
The civil war still continues to rage in Sy-
ria. The following are extracts from the Bel
rOut correspondence ef the Boston Traveller,
dated at atBeirout, the 18th ult.;
The war is still devastating this beautiful
land, and villages, converts and hamlets,
which were last month the homes Of q quiet
and industrious people, are now smoking
ruins, and their former occupants who have
escaped the sword of the enemy, are burrow-
ing in caves and tombs in starving condi-
| tion.
Many wars have occurred between the
Druses and Christians of Mt. Lebanon, but
the present struggle is unparalleled in the
history Of these people for its horrible afro
cities The blood of every spectator Of the
shocking barbarities which characterize this
revolution, runs cold with horror, and every
American would be glad to see European
occupation Of the country, if by such means
peace might be restored. GIL
The fall of Hasbeyia, an American mission
airy station, would furnish ample material for
book Of horrors, Itcontains a large Pro-
testant community and fine church edifce
1t is situated near the source of the river
Jordan, and has several thousand Inhabitants
It was for some time besieged, but the con-
test commenced in earnest on Friday, the 9Th
inst, and continued three days. The Druses
were defeated and driven back, and the town
was wholly occupied by the Christians
Then came in Turkish treachery to give sue
cess to the Druses. The commander of the
Turkish troops stationed at that place, under
a pretenee Of aiding the Christians, induced
them to feign a retreat towards the castle,
promising TO FIRE upon the Druses with his
cannon. The Christians did as they were
desired the commander fired blank cartridges
only twice and then ceased. The retreat be-
oame real, and the deceived Christians sought
refuge in the castle. Upon their arrival the
commander required them to deliver their
arms, which they surrendered to him. He
then allowed them to enter, after compelling.
each one to say, aMay God give success. to the
Sultan He gave their arms to some mule
teers, under the pretenee of sending them to
Damascus but soon after put them in the
possession Of the Druses The unarmed were
then turned over to the tender nercies of the
Druses, who butchered a large number and
burned the town, including all the American
NAtANA N4OPGLlJs kDGNGLhl. .uuuQIEQS OF tue
Christians sought refuge with the Moslem
Emeers Of Hasbeyia, who were enemies of
the Druses. They remained in the palace for
several days, when the Emeers were obliged
to surrender for want of provisions. Thirty
Of the Emeers were killed, and more than
eight hundred ChristaHs l0ere led olH and
slaughtered like sheep.
Rasheya is another missionary station, and
contains Protestant community. A letter to
the Traveller dated June 10th says:
"The plot thickens-and fear that the
doom Of this people is sealed. About one
hundred of the Hasbeyans arrived here yes
teTday with blOod-stained garments and with
bloody history of their suffering and the
dead bodies Of more than twelve hundred of
their friends and relatives, they spent a long
and terrible night-and, after the fends who
had accomplished this awful tragedy left the
spot, supposing that none had escaped to tell
the tale, these, fugifiyes reached the coast
near Tyre, and came to Beirout in boats.
It was sad story they told and, as they
counted over TO our devoted missionaries the
names of the Protestants whom they saw
butchered in cold blood, the hearts of these
pious men sank within them But two ofthe
entire Protestant community were living
when the refugees left Hasbeyia, and these
were dreadfully wounded, perhaps fatally
The American church and all the mission
property was consumed, and those benighted
natives who had been brought to a know
ledge Of the truth by the American mission
aries and so instructed by them as to be able
to sustain their own pulpit and schools with
native preachers and teachers, were all cut
down, and the Protestant mission blotted
out. How mysterious are the ways of Prov
ideneei --4t. 4'-l
Hasbeyia contained about six thousand
and was governed by family of
Moslem Princes of the Great Shehaab family
Seventy Princes of this name were also
murdered, together with the Moslem Judge
his son, and about thirty other Moslemsi who
The English are determined to sustain the
Turkish government and to sustain the
Druses, however much it may deplote the
perpetrated by them. Its policy |
requires that this empire shall remain in the
hands of a weak government, in order that |
the British possessions in India may not be
imperined. France and Russia would be
willing TO see the country divided Austria
has but little influence, and the policy Of our
American Consul is, to protect all American
citizens, and to avoid all interference in the |
politics of the country other than that die |
tated BY humanity for the relief Of the starv-
ing and persecuted Christians. Jffs
If the same want ofunanimity exists among
the Ambassadors at Constantinople upon this |
question. nothing VIII be done for poor, suf-
tering Syria, until Congress shall settle
this vexed Oriental question at once and
forever.