15 AUGUST 1925, Page 3

' Although all that has happened is extremely incon- venient

to the French, it must not be supposed that the Jebel Druses are numerous enough or are sufficiently well armed to make a Iong resistance if France can spare troops to tackle the rising, and if the Druses do not contrive to make allies. As a rule the Druses do not receive help from their neighbours, for their strange creed, which is an odd mixture of Christianity and Mohammedanism, makes them a people apart. Readers of Tancred will remember that Disraeli was fascinated by the conflicts of the Druses and the Christian Maronites and by the mysteries of the Druse religion. The essence of that religion has always been secret ; Disraeli inclined to the belief that the Druses worshipped a golden calf. * * * * •