New Britain herald., 1926-05-20
5OO CIVILIANS IN
 DAMASCUS KILLED
Unconfrmed Report Tells Of
 Terrible Slaughter

London, May 20 CP,-More than 500 civilians including women and children and about 100 rebels and twenty French have been killed and 300 houses destroyed in a bom- bardment by the French forces Of the Midan quarter of the city of Damascus, says q despatch to the Daily Express.
 While there has been no con- tirmation of the report from Da- mascus which was dated May 9, it has occasioned considerable sur prise. The troubles in the ancient city between the French and the Druse tribesmen had apparently calmcd down under the civilian ad- ministrations headed by NJ. Jouve- nel, the French high commissioner for Syria
 The latest bombardment is said to have been that announced May II as comparatively small affair, involving the deaths of about 50 Druse rebels. The belated despatch printed today, however. gives the action 8 much more serious aspect.
 The trouble began May 6 when the Druse rebels attacked French military posts, killing or capturing 2S soldiers at Bobmoussalla. The successful raiders took refuge in fhe Midan, or southern section. of Damascus.
 S0,000 in Section
 The tribesmen who attacked the French are said 10 have numbered about 200. They retired and barTi- caded themselves in houses The following day three thousand French troops surrounded the quarter and demanded that the Drusos be handed over to them on pain of bombardment if the de- mand was refused.
 The inhabitants notified the French that they were without arms and unable 10 comply, but the French were invited to come in and capture them. It is asserted that he French commander realized that entry into the quarter would mean serious sacrifices to his sol iiers and the inhabitants thereupon were given an hour to reach zones of safety from bombardment.
 When the time was up the French are said to have opened upon Midan with twelve 8 inch guns, four howitzers and dozen alrplanes. the firing and bombing continuing for 15 hours.
 General Panic Follows
 General panic followed. says the correspondent. Women and chil- dren rushed aimlnssly through th" streets. falling victims to bursting shells or collapsing houses. Many houses were burned and the sky was overcast from the smoke and dust.
 The male inhabitants of the quarter joined the rebels in com batting the French. During the bombardment 110 rebels are said 70 have escaped through the French line and were joined by several hundred formerly peaceful persons living in the bombarded section. who if is asserted. desired revenge against the French.
 The smelling of Midan consti- tutes the most serious incident in French Syria since the French gen aral Sarrairs terrible hombardment of the ancient city last October when several thousands were killed in 4S hours Of shelling. Much de- strnction was wrouEht in the best part of the city by the French shells, subsequent connagra'ions and mob violence. The famous street called Straight, which figures in biblical annals, suffered severely on that occasion, while the beau- tiful Palace of A2m was burned and the British mission badly dam aged. Several houses Of Mosl"m uobles, together with their price less contents. were demolished and other irraparahle damage done.
 There is no report that the latest incident had one of the shocking features of the October terror. namely the massacre of many Christians and Armenians by the infuriatcd Moslem populace and sympathiznrs with the Druses.