On Monday the Petit Pari,sien published a report which was
plainly inspired by General Sarrail before he left Syria, and will probably be the basis of the account that he is to render to the Chamber in Committee on November. 20th. It describes the sudden out- bursts of violence, shooting and looting which made vigorous action absolutely necessary. We regret that the report goes on to blame His Majesty's Consul for anticipating trouble. He is alleged to have warned British subjects of coming disturbance and to have made . _ _ arrangements for their safety which led to panic. We should say that Mr. Stuart did his duty in time and that events fully justified his not waiting until it would have been too late to fulfil his responsibilities to the British community. Unless earlier reports are disproved, he also deserves great credit for the way in which he in- fluenced leading Arabs to allay panic and keep order in the city during and after the bombardment.
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