Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-28
BY BENNETT j. DOTY.


BY BENNETT J. DOTY.
Written excIusiveIy for The. Star and North
American Newspaper Alliance.
Once aboard the lugger, and off we
steamed for Syria and our first action
against the rebellious tribesmen. The
massed bands of the Tirailleurs swung
into the famous "Marche de la L.
gior." which thrills vou through and
through with its martial air. We all
called II Viola l. Boudin" fBehold the
Blood Sausage)
didn't see much Of Beirut, where
we landed. We were there only long
enough to catch the train for Damas-
Gus. Soon after the train started we
began to climb siddy passes. 1t was
bite cold. / slept on the floor of the
carriage among the feet of the others
Thew were making their first acquaint.
ance with rake" This is the native
spirit. In strength and taste it re-
sembles absinthe. only it is stronger.
Rush Druse Campaign.
Looking out the carriage windows
next morning. l caught my Erst
glimpse of the beautiful gardens of
W. could see nothing but soldiers.
Thelt was a grca. hustle and stir.
Preparations were being rushed for
(. campaign against the Druse.
We received orders TO continue on
our way to the fortified camp at the
little village Of Kherbet-elGazalie. on
the railroad, where the 5th Battalion
Of the 4th Regiment Of the Legion
was holding forth. This was near the
border of the Druse country.
We rolled four or five n achine guns
and a 65-millimeter gun on to an
armcred train and steamed along the
lire. At each station we left provi-
sions for the little garrisons. which
were surrounded by barbed wire and
high stone walls. A sentry was posted
on fiat roof at each place. Through
field glasses these sentrins we're con-
sfantly scanning the horizon.
Small Posts In Danger.
Some OF these posts were held by
Senegalese. the rest by North African
Tirailleurs and native Syrian troops.
All looked a bit worried. They had
good reason. A small post might be
attacked any night and completely
wiped out.
At last the train came to Ezra. GEN.
-
had a great signal Der, a field hos
pital and a supply bases There were
several batteries Of field guns ready
for action. In the distance lay a long.
blue range Of grim mountains. I
asked one Of the native troopers what
they were.
ut is the Jebel Druse Range" he
said. That little white spot perched
high on the mountainside Is Sueida.
The garrison there Is being besieged
by the Druse."
Our train dragged on until we be-
held small station. a few houses and
camp. Then we saw the familiar
garb OF the Legion. and knew we had
arrived. Men began pouring out OF
the camp to meet Us. and, seeing old
friends. shouted greetings in all lam
guages.
Work Begins ut Once.
Out we got and marched into camp.
The sections were lined up In single
| file. The cor~rral of each squad held
his bayonet over his head uuajl the
hayonets were all aligned. Then the
bayonets were stuck into the ground.
In this way spots were staked out
for tents TO hold six men each. In i
few minutes there were rows Of tents
1 the Legion than any enemy. "Au
muraille" ito the waln
Whenever we made camp during a
campaign we dug trench or built a
wall. according TO the nature OF the
terrai.. There Is 40 work q Legion
uaire loathes more. W means carry
lag hundreds OF stones weighing from
90 pounds up in q boiling sun. IL
seems as IL the wall would never get
to the required height-breast high.
Fl ally this was over. Supper was
eaten and sentinels were posted every
30 feet. We were now on the border
{. the enemy's country. When one
takes the guard In such a country he
stands 10 one place lsentinel fixel.
staring always ahead. while another
fellow goes between the sen;inels IKE.
He Is called the sentinel mobile traov.
Ing sentinel, He keeps the sentinelS
linked up. This means greater viri-
lance and insures the safety q the
sentinels.
Villagers Help.
For the next few days we worked on
Z. camp. washed clothes and got 10
| know the villagers-pescefui. hard
deted again and again by the nruse,
They did all they could to help US,
They served "a scouts and spies,
We did = lot OF flnal drilling for &C
tual combat. and got last instructions.
The armored cars had been goinx out
daily on patrol. and they rcrorted
activity BY the enemy, Ten kilofne-
te~s from US was village which re
fused 70 pay taxes and was suspected
Of harhoring nruse spies. About ESQ
o'clock enc morning ne set out with
= squadron Of cavalry, We circlea
the village and save IA head man
one hour to pay the tax.
After 10 minutes this diSnitary came
out with the money i'm gold aud silver.
But the spies. IL any we're there. got
away. We returned 60 camp dis
guxted We had hoped the payment
Of the tax would be refused. We had
orders In that case TO take everSthlng
worth taking and harm the houses
Plenty Of Loot.
Just a few aaSS before there had
he. ! such an instance. And our men
goats, chickens. silks and linen. Some
times real TREASURES are found, such
as q h,uode stallion or hidden money,
Moncy means fetS of wine and plenty
Of girls 90 dance with,
We received orders shortly &C. move
10 the village Of MaasSelfre, 1, Nlo.
meters ahead We were to hnild an
advance camp there ana hold Il az
any coat, The march WAS lstgutnx,
The country Mas rough and water
scarce f*.>.+
We found Menss~ifi~ q collection ct
hat,toppet houses. With a mosque in
the center, The miserable population
rexalNled as with sullen suspicion, We
were To lind that they We're hand In
glove with the enemy, giving the
nruse fal. information 81 cur move,
mentS and strength,