Damascus, June 23. LITHOUGH no shots were fired at Damascus by' Allied troops prior to its surrender, great explosions of shells bursting in the military areas could be' heard by inhabitants.
The appearance of an automobile driving out of the fying large white flag; was the first indication that the Syrian capital had surrendered.
In the car were representatives of the Syrian Government and the French authorities.
Allied forces who had surrounded the elly 12 hours earlier were now at liberty to enter, Wilhelmshaven and Immediately after the Vichy troops withdrew, the local authorities MDamaseus issued orders that the [British and Free French forces should be welcomed and granted every facility, 'The population were obviously pleased' to receive the filled troops and the prevalent feel ing. there was that the arrival of Gen, "Catroux would Lead up to Syria's final Independence, The French garrison had evacuate ed Damascus on Thursday. to. the {great delight of the population, but, finding that the Allies were not ready te enter, they had returned.
The first to enter Damascus wore Allied representatives, Fleree fight. ing. on the outskirts of the capital ud Tead the Allies to believe that Very strong resistance would be put up. and the aeltial surrender came mich sooner than expected. believed that the isolated re~ sistance which was being put up between Kineitra and Damascus has now been largely broken up and the forces have retreated northwards—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.