New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-10-03
THE FLIGHT FROM BEIRUT
Correspondence Describing Erodus
of Christians.

Beirut Sept ii-when the raid of the Moslems
began in Beirut on Sunday morning September g.
the Christians ied from the city. leaving their
houses TO be pilaged. The great Lebanon District
Christian province stretching down to the limits
OF the city. offered safety and thither the Chris
tians rushed in a panic. BY Sunday night thou
sands had gathered the Lebanon Plain. just cut
side Of Beirut, and made their way Up into the
mountain villages.
While the rot going On some Of the govern
1nent officials FASTENED to the scene ami checked
the marauders. the full strength OF the military
brought out, the streets were soon being pa
trolled. and the men Of the American squadron in
the harbor were placed under arms and held ready
fer action. As n result no further raids were at
tempted. and within a day or two all danger had
practically departed
On "Wednesday proclamation posted on the
mosques and other public buildings, directing me
merchants TO open their stores and the people TO
resume their occupations but the stores did not
open. and the people who had fed showed no signs
of returning The stampede did not cease after the
first fright over.
a little railroad out from Beirut through the
villages skrting the Mediterranean coast as Tar as
Mameltein. and Sunday and Sunday night trains
packed with people on this road were kept COINS
back and forth. The villages along the Mediter-
ranean soon overrun and, as the cafes, notes
and inns were unable to provide accommodation
for the newcomers. many passed Sunday night on
the beach f. the empty silk factories and in the
houses of the country people who offered them
shelter.
At every station along the line refugees gathered
20 meet the newcomers. At the town OF bJouui'
near the terminus of the railroad the streets were
thronged. Here and at Mameltein 10 sulLerlis
existed among the refugees. the government anu
church authorities Of Lebanon having arranseu !"
supply with food any who were in need. Inc
Lebanon soldery had also been called Out anu
were furnishing protection TO the refugees as wen
a. preventing any disorder.
The refugees all said that when the riot OF gun
dav began the Christians repulsed the Mosiems
with success whereupon the soldiers tuIheu - :,
the Christians Whether this is true or not II -
o,1,- fair e thA Turkish Government to say that
in the crisis it put forth every effort to restore
order and guards placed at every loi el7'
residents house o property wherever aSheu To-
In the early part Of the week there was e''0S
talk among the villagers and refugees Vi
organization and attack on the CITY ~ ~
towns on the mountain tops II was ARA '
at = certain hour the bells of the churches shoulu
,; GA the mon should assemble in the churches'
and march 10 the Lebanon Plain. The bells rang
the men gathered but word coming that the CITY
was being pacified, the movement was deieTleu'
On Wednesday evening the pacha OF the l-eOdiOi,
Province addressed the refugees at DJouil' on"
+bo pex- day he spoke in Dbay. where ne salu'
Tho Government had nothing to do With the
Beirut affair 1t was pet~Tetd ' and the leaders
500 he ss,,ereIv punished You can return 10
your homes and business, OF No one will force
-, 70 return 10 your homes nave given
to the governors to pFotetL5 moor among YOU as
Lebanon viii proEloe lo' 'i'~ 49,
long YOU remain.
The advice of the pacha- wherever he SPOKE oiu
rot meet with approval, but in NUMBER Oh cases
the second thought prevailed ana the Tram ,rse
took the correspondent paCh t,,, eager TO return
crowded with refugees dPP"''
Z their homes