New-York tribune., 1922-05-26
Chas. II. Crane
Gets 20 Years
In French Jail
CONTINUED from reue onel

CONTINUED from Jaue one)
as representative of the Wilson Admin
istratlon
On his last visit to Damascus, said
Mr.. Mokarzel. leaders Of the indie
pendent party seeking freedom from
the mandate of France submitted their
case to Mr. Crane, as they are trying
to have the League of Nations pass on
u. AT that time the native papers re-
ported that MIR. Crane was in sympathy
with the aspirations of the Syrians and
as result of his attitude held a great
demonstration against France. This, it
was said, resulted in poltica! inter
terence and a show of force, which was
followed by casualties and the arrest
OF the ringleaders, including Shahban-
dar, who was later sentenced to twenty
years.
In the mean time Mr. Crane, Mr. Mo
karzel said, had left Damascus and
when questioned about, the check the
insurgent leader answered that 1t was
given for 'philanthropic and education
was opposed to this, however, said Mr..
Mokar2el
Denial that Crane was in Syria in an
munlcated to the French officials by
Secretary Hughes, according TO Mr..
Mokarzel
Crane Silent on Case
The Chicago Daily News" dispatch
said in part:
According to the newspapers the
court held that Mr.. Crane was equally
responsible with mum erous Syrians who
a o IN
Of the outbreak
Miss Twsiech Rahwandji, fifteen wears
DID, was recently arrested in Damascus
because she was pupil of Miss Nazid
Aaoed Moslem teacher involved in
the disturbances Miss Aabed was one
OF the women selected by Mr.. Crane to
receive educational benefits in the
United States. His check for 81 900 %
dcfray her travelling expenses promp y.
the charge that the American govern
ment was subsidizing the Syrian maj
contents.
She was arrested, deported from
damascus and confined in Jail neal
Bouma, but she made her escape"
All News to Crane
PARIS, May 25 (By The Associated
Press>.- Charles r. Crane. of Chicago
informed The Associated Press to-
night that he has had no ntimatior
OF the reported action of a French
military court in Syria imposing a sen.
tence of twenty years for melting {
riot
THE report YOU bring me is the first
news | have had on any such step by
the military authorities Of Syria" sale
Mr, Crane "Since my return to Paris
three days ago | have been very cor
daily received by many members OF
the French Senate and others higl
IN the government. and there is no.
the slightest indication that any &C
tlon has been taken or is contemplatet
against me.
However, it would not surprise m.
If the military authorities of Syri,
were much aroused over the popularit,
OF the United States throughout Syria
and they might show resentment b,
military action against me. visited
Syria for three days during the frs
week in April for the purpose Of OBJ
serving what had taken place since
was sent there by President Wilson :,
report on the situation. | confirmed
this time the conclusions which wer,
contained IN my report to Presden
Wilson.
at is true that 4 big demonstration
occur iIeu AROUND my automoblle as
was leaving Damascus. Thousands Of
Syrians gathered around the car ane
sang their national anthem and cheeret
the United States. The next day there
were many arrests, but it is not true
that the French military authorities
asked me to leave the country OF
threatened to arrest me-
No Official Confirmation
81 was in Syria solely as private
citizen and do not represent the
United States government or American
missionary interests in Syria | am
deeply interested in the outcome of the
Syrian question. American missionary
interests have invested s600O0,00O in
schools and in other ways in Syria. and