The New York herald., 1922-05-26
20 YEAR SENTENCE
| BY FRENCH MILITARY
| MAKES CRANELAUGH
Has Heard Nothing About
Conviction for Inciting
Syrian Outbreak.
is AT LIBETY IN PARIS
Former U. S. Minister to
China Will Discuss Mat
ter With POincare.
BACK FROM DAMASCUS
Admits Popularity of America
Might Stir Resentment of
French Officials.
BACK FROM DAMASCUS

Special Gable to THE NEw YonK HERALD.
Copyright, 1929, by THE New YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
Paris, May 25
Charles r. Crane. former American
Minister to China, was seen at 2
o'clock this morning in his suite in
the Hotel Foyot and informed that
dispatches told of his sentence by a
French military court in Damascus to
twenty years in prison on a charge of
melting to riot. Part of Syria is un-
der mandate of France. Mr.. Crane
chuckled and said:
Let them go ahead and do what
ever they wish. l have told my
friends what happened there. and
there is no basis for any such reports.
have not heard of any sentence being
imposed. If the military court took
up the matter. certainly it was after
left there"
When pressed for details of the in IL
dent provoking the difficulty Mr.. Crane
suggested 1t was entirely misunder-
standing which would be cleared up
when he had opportunity to explain to
the French Minister of -,'oreign Affairs.
who is Premier Poncare. 1t Is reported
Mr.. Crane will see the Premier to-
morrow or Saturday.
What's the use of raking up trouble
over such fool thing as that7" said
Mr.. Crane.
he a in Do, ,rto Il n
ago Mr.. Crane called upon the Ameri-
can Ambassador. Mgron T. Herrick and
talked OF the situa ton in Damascus. He
suggested II would be wise IL he could
obtain private hearing at the DUAL
d dOrsay. Mr. Herrick Immediately ap-
piled through the usual channels, but
owing to the holiday yesterday has not
yet received a reply.
personally do not know Just what
happened in Damascus said Mr.. Her
rick TO THE New York HERALD CORE
spondent, ''but l am ready to do all
possible to aid Mr. Crane. whom / have
known for long time"
Crane Appears Unworried.
From embassy sources il was learned
last night that Mr.. Crane was unaware
of any definite decision by the Damascus
court but was laughing over the trouble
occasioned by his recent visit to Syria
1T Is not believed here that Mr..
Crane has done anything serious, GER
tainly not enough TO warrant any tudg-
ment by French or any other military
court" said THE New York HERALD
correspondents informant. According
to our Information. when Mr. Crane was
about to leave his automobile was sud-
denly surrounded by a throng Of ma
tives. shouting and carrying banners,
upon which were slogans. the meaning
of which he naturally did not know
Apparently the friendly manner in which
he received the natives. who had evi-
IDENTIFY the idea Of presenting an anti
French protest, was misinterpreted by
the officials in Damascus.
At the Quail d'Orsay last night 1t
was said nothing was known OF any
decision by a Damascus court, but IT
be handled with such abruptness. More
over. In view of the fact that Mr.
Cranes presence I'm Paris was well
known in the highest political circles,
the story arouses considerable disbelief
although II Is admitted the routine By
which such military matters reach the
Foreign Office might cause delay.
a friend of Mr.. Crane last night sug.
gested that Mr.. Crane had spoken from
the automobile, and his gesticulations,
followed by the approving Glamour OF
the natives. had been misconstrued by
the French officials as an attempt to
incite.
U. 8. Popularity stirs Syria.
PARIS. May % (Assoclated Press) -
Charles r.. Crane. talking to the Asso-
clated Press tonight. said:
ID a.
ago | have been very cordially received
by many members of the French Senate
and others high in the Government, and
there is not the slightest indication that
any action has been taken or Is contem-
plated against me.
However. IL would not surprise me
II the military authorities of Syria were
much aroused over the popularity of
the United States throughout Syria. and
they might show resentment by mill
tary action against me. / visited Syria
for three days during the first week in
April for the purpose of observing what
had taken place since 7 was sent there
in 1919 by President Wilson to report
on the situation. l confirmed this time
the conclusions which were contained In
my report to President Wilson.
ut Is true that a big demonstration
occurred around my automobile as I
was leaving Damascus. Thousands OF
Syrians gathered around the car and
sang their national anthem and cheered
the United States. The next day there
were many arrests. but II Is not true
that the French military authorities
asked me to leave the country or threat
ened TO arrest me-
II was In Syria solely as private
citizen. and do not represent the
United States Government o American
missionary interests In Syria. am
deeply interested in the outcome OF ,he
Syrian question. American missionary
interests have invested $50. 900 in
schools and In other ways In Syria, and
to this extent America is concerned with
the problem"
Mr.. Crane declared he had done moth
ing while In Syria which could be con-