Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-07-26

Continuation of the Civil War In Syria
More SIaughter-The Christians Utterly
Defeated ZahIeh Captured, PIundered
aud Burned-Desolation of LebanOn-A
Boy Here.
The correspondent of the Boston Travsller
writes from Beirut, on the 18th ult
Zahleh has fallen The last stronghold Of
the Christians has been taken, plum 1ered and
burned, and its surviving inhabitants are
flying like sheep from the wolves that are
now on their track. The Christian army has
been annihilated, and the Christian power,
which has been for ages competed with the
Druses, has been crushed. The feet lay
quietly at anchor in the harbor of Beirut,
while Zahleh was besieged, sack ed and laid
in ruins-and the Consuls General, who have
hitherto been so potent and mighty, have
held daily and nightly consultations in vain.
The desolation Of the "goodly Lebanon" was
decreed and the bosom of destruction has
laid it waste.
The Consuls were in secret conclave all
night, after the news of the sacking of Zahleh
was received, to devise ways and means for
the rescue of the surviving Christians Of the
country from a general massacre. What
they have done has not transpired, but the
butchery of the remainder of the 10000
Christians is sad thing to contemplate. We
had hoped that the steamers of this week
would have brought authority from the
powers that be to land marines for an armed
interference, but in this we were disap-
pointed. True, the Consuls were instructed
to stop the war as soon as possible, but no
power was placed at their disposal to conquer
peace. Moral suasion has not, in this bar
barous land, the influence it enjoys in more
civilized climes, and only an armed interven-
ton can convince these blood-thirsty Druses
that the European Powers are in earnest.
The absurdity of the present arrangement
| is loudly proclaimed by eoaps de cannon which
even now shake my windows. The Queen
an English line-of-battle ship has Just arrived
from Gibraltar, and is saluting the town
| Twenty-one guns from II. b. MS ship Of 100
| guns, and twenty-one guns from the bate ~
Of the town, have warlike sound, but they
are mere courtesies and have no effect on the
war. The Druses continue to butcher the
| Christians, to burn their towns, and kill
| their children, within hearing of these cour
| teous salutes. The policy of England with
reference to Turkey is fraught with many
evil consequences. Determined. at all haz-
ards to maintain the integrity of the Otto
man Empire, she is unfavorable to the inves-
tigation proposed by Russia into the condi-
ton of the Christians in Turkey, and declares
that the Haiti Hamayoun is not a dead let
ter. England doubtless fears the effect OF an
investigation, and breads the partition OIL
Turkey. And we all see with regret that
England has intimated to the Sublime Porte
that if the Sultan objects to the investigation
by Consuls she will not insist upon it. Thus
in the plainest manner advising that the Con.
suls be not allowed to participate in the in
vestigation. If the Commission is purely
Turkish, all the evidence collected by the
Consuls will be of no use. We await the
issue with much anxiety. Missionary work
is at stand-still in Mount Lebanon. 1t may
be that all Franks will be driven from th'
land for time at least.
The United States Consul has repeatedly
warned the Americans of their danger and
informed them that a residence in the noun
tains is no longer safe. Many have CONF
down. To-day the mission at Beirut passet
a vote requesting Rev. Mr. Calhoun of Alleip
the President Of the College at that place
together with Mr.. Bird of Deiril Kenir Il
coma to Beirut at once.
The Christians throughout this war hav
been most cowardly, but the defense Of Zah
leh, the most warlike town in Lebanon, wa
conducted with much spirit. Asan illustrtt
ton of the manner in which the desperate
forlorn hope of the Christians behaved In TIL
last battle, in which about seven thousanc
Druses and Arabs were engaged in the siege
! will refer to one case only at present.
The Druses had gained the suburbs OF th'
town. and had succeeded in setting FIRE x
about score of houses, when the Christian
a rallied and drove them out upon the plain
The Druses were led by most ferocious ant
; bIoodthirsty chief, Range ell Amad. In the
/ Christian army was lad of fourteen year'
! of age who determined to die in defense o
i his home. He rushed into the ranks Of thl
: enemy, and shooting the chief, fell, piercet
by spears and bullets. The chief was killed
and the little hero shared his grave.
The destruction or Sidon has just beei
reported. $500 Christians are said 10 hay'
. been killed by Moslems and Drpses. Tn
intelligence requires confirmation, and is no
r generally credited.