Word: sarrail
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Dates: during 1920-1929
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...Cabinet's Program: 1) To shelve the Moroccan and Syrian questions temporarily, while waiting for the return of General Sarrail, who is being recalled to justify his policy of ruthlessness as French High Commander in Syria (TIME, Nov. 9). 2) To straddle the "capital levy" issue by demanding "an immediate sacrifice" from "all forms of wealth" instead of from "capital." 3) To secure passage for the highly popular Locarno Treaties. 4) To resume debt negotiations with the U. S. at an indefinitely later date...
...Damascus, both the U. S. and the British Governments were reported to have made "unofficial representations" to the French Foreign Office, demanding that the life and property of their nationals in Syria be protected. Premier Painleve and his Cabinet, realizing that some action must be taken, then "summoned General Sarrail to report on conditions in Syria, at Paris." Competent observers opine that a "Civilian Governor" will replace the "Military High Commander in Syria"; and that under cover of this "change in policy" Sarrail will be got out of the way without "dishonor" and without offending his potent friends...
...appears that General Sarrail, by way of intimidating the anti-French populace of Damascus on his return from capturing Suedia (TIME, Oct. 5), ordered that the corpses of various brigands whom the French had shot down should be paraded through the streets on camel back. Three days later the bodies of twelve Circassians (French irregulars) were found dead out-side the Bab Esh Sharol gate. Came night, and French soldiers were attacked and mutilated in one of the slums of Damascus. Came another night, and bands of Druse tribesmen filtered into the city. Three purposes have been ascribed to them...
Whatever their intent, extensive rioting and looting commenced; and General Sarrail gave every evidence of having been stampeded by this into a belief that the French forces must rally as for a last stand. He is said to have withdrawn French citizens and troops from the Christian quarter, leaving the other Christian nationals to the protection of their consuls and at the mercy of the mob, which was fortunately not extremely hostile to non-French foreigners. And for 48 hours French shot and shell poured into the city; French tanks dashed at full speed through the streets, firing point blank...
...bombardment was then "suspended" while General Sarrail allegedly demanded $500,000 in gold and the surrender of 3,000 rifles by prominent Damascenes, under threat of opening fire anew. Naturally those of whom the demands were made "undertook to fulfill them." The situation became "calm...