Twenty to One In Syria

French resistance to Pan-Arab Druse attacks while the French offensive in Palestine is being prepared, were again picturesquely envisioned by Correspondent George Seldes* (Time, Sept. 21):

"There was a battle of cavalry against barbed wire, of riflemen against machine guns, of 2,000 pagan tribesmen against a mere 10 French. . . Ignorant and heedless the Druse horsemen charged the barbed wire . . . pennons and war flags flying . . . Their horses were caught, slashed ... a hellish scene of carnage . . . men and blood mingling amide stones and barbed wire.

"Undeterred, the brave savages withdrew, circled, charged again and again . . . from 4 a. m. till 10 a. m The last volley saw the Druses riding off carrying dead and wounded comrades. . . The Druses, with their faith in reincarnation, believe those they were obliged to leave mangles by modern weapons have lost their souls as well as their bodies. . . . There were no French casualties."

* He represents the Chicago Tribune. Not all the U. S. newspapers are well repre sented in Syria.