The French Senate have rejected the petitions calling on them
to advocate the retention of the French army in Syria, but the Syrian Christians are most unwilling to see the French troops depart. Christians of all nationalities at Beyrout have signed a petition to the commissioners of the Five Powers, declaring that the victims of the massacres have as yet received only "an illusory promise of in- demnity," and that the guilty are not yet punished. They accord-
ingly call for a "continuation of action" on the part of the Powers. It would appear that the presence of the French completely protests the Maronites, however many crimes they may commit, and-no Druse life is safe out of the Lebanon. A heavy brigade and thirty-two pieces of artillery have been despatched from Constantinople to Syria, to reinforce the Turkish garrison. A force is also to be despatched into the Herzegovina under Omar Pasha, and another into ltouinelia to be ready in the event of any movement on the part of the Russian Government. The ,Porte has also consented to the temporary union of the Principalities, during the life of the present prince.
A curious incident has occurred in the shape of the immigration of a hundred thousand Tartars into Turkey within the past year. They have been relieved from taxation for tea years, and may be most valuable allies.
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