SEEKING SOLUTION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 65, Issue 192, 28 May 1945, Page 4

SEEKING SOLUTION.

THE LATEST

DISPUTE IN SYRIA. EVENTS MAY MOVE QUICKLY (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright.) (Rec. 2.10 p.m.) LONDON, May 27. Britain and America are seeking a peaceful way out of the serious situation in Syria and Lebanon, where the people, angered by the arrival of French reinforcements, fear an attempt by France to take aAvay their ' independence. The situation, however, may move too swiftly for diplomatic processes. Azzam Bey, secretary-general of the Arab League, said in Cairo to-day that he hoped the French leaders Avould realise that a policy of violence would not serve the true aims of France. He said: “The anger of the Syrian people and leaders is increasing. I am confident that the leaders of France will realise that their present policy does not serve the true aims of France. Violence Avill not honour her, especially if she Avere to use it against unarmed countries. “The Council of the Arab League is meeting in Cairo in the first Aveek in June to discuss the question and endeavour to find a way to security and peace. Syrians and Lebanese are asking the help of the Arab countries in support of their rightful cause, and I am confident that they Avill receive the assistance they are seeking—that it Avill come from the Avhole of the Arab nation, Kings, Governments, Emirs and peoples alike.” The Paris radio quotes General de Gaulle as saying that French reinforcements for the Levant have been grossly exaggerated. Only three battalions have been dispatched to Syria and the Lebanon, of Avhich 4avo Avere relief battalions. Their equivalent of French troops had already started on their liomeAvard journey to France. A battalion had not reached Levant.

Attitude of France

The French Minister of Information has issued the following statement; "The French Government follows with the greatest attention incidents staged in the last two Aveeks in various toAvns in Syria and the Lebanon, for which perpetrators took pretexts from some movements of extremely small French forces Avhich Avere merely relief replacements. The Government points out that these movements Avere accompanied by vaster military movements carried out in the same regions for the same reasons by British authorities', but Avhich Avere not agreed upon Avith the French authorities charged with the maintenance of order. “The French Government regrets that the Syrian and Lebanese Governments thought fit to grasp the occasion for refusing to negotiate with the French plenipotentiary, General M. Beenet, Avhose mission was to submit to them proposals for general agreement regarding questions pending between Syria and France, and betAveen the Lebanon and France. “The French Government is all the less prepared to believe that the Syrian and Lebanese Governments could have felt any real apprehensions regarding France’s intention, toward their independence, as it is . France herself Avho proclaimed their independence, and Avho proposed the conditions under Avhich it should he guaranteed, and Avho gave obvious proof of her intentions by obtaining Syrian and Lebanese representation at, San Francisco. “There is no basis for belief that this situation —for which the motives appear rather artificial—could possibly be interpreted wrongly by mternational opinion in spite of the spreading of tendentious rumouis.