TENSION GROWING

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 65, Issue 194, 30 May 1945, Page 4

TENSION GROWING

THE LATEST

SYRIA AND LEBANON. FRANCE STATES HER CASE. SAFEGUARDING CULTURAL INTERESTS. (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright.) (Rec. 2.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 20. The Beirut radio said to-night that young Syrians are joining up to fight against the French oppressors for the liberation of Syria. * The “Fidahi” Party denounced all collaborators and those maintaining relations with the French. Syrian tradesmen have been invited to withdraw their funds from the banks, and parents not to send their children to French schools. The radio added that the silence of the Damascus streets was broken by an occasional rifle Shot. The Syrian police are patrolling, but are not clashing ■with French patrols. “France is prepared to crown her recognition of the independence of Syria with the withdrawal of her garrison troops, but first wishes to settle a number of outstanding questions,” said M. Bidault, in a report to Cabinet on the situation in the Levant. This was given out by the Paris radio. M. Bidault added: “It is a known fact that Syria and the Lebanon juridically are placed under the mandate granted to France by the League -of Nations. France, while waiting lor international decision, which will permit her to renounce this mandate, has recognised the complete independence of Syria and the Lebanon. She has only reserved the right to keep there a number of troops needed for the maintenance of order. France wishes primarily to ensure that her cultural interests will be safeguarded in these countries of French influence, where she has founded so many schools. The Statutes, freedom and rights of these establishments must be recognised and protected after her troops have left” Economic Interests. M. Bidault went on: “France also wishes agreements with Syria and the Lebanon to guarantee her economic interests there. France, by the treaty which ended the war of 1918, received an important share of mosul oil, which was shipped to France by tankers loaded in Syria. Oil also crossed Syria by pipeline protection for which must be ensured. France finally intends to guard her strategic interests, and must be sure that she can use her air bases on the route from France to the Far East, and that her warships can put into certain ports. France recently through her delegates in Beirut let it be known that she wishes to 5 conclude definite agreements consecrating the total independence of Syria and the Lebanon, but the respective Governments of these countries refused to open discussions, France simultaneously has had to relieve two battalions. Malicious propaganda and distorted information implied that France is resorting to intimidation and blackmail, and that she is trying to obtain, by display of force and by threats, what could not be obtained by negotiations. Such opinion is completely erroneous and belies the French attitude.” Joint Statement. A joint statement issued by the Syrian and Lebanon Legations in London says: “Official news from Syria and the Lebanon shows a stat? of affairs of increasing gravity, and that unless the French modify theii demands, it will be impossible to foretell the consequences. We have learned lately that (French soldiers attacked Syrian police' and gendarmerie in Damascus, also officials in Aleppo, and entered and searched the Governor’s house in Aleppo. “The present differences only one chapter in the long, continuous story of the struggle beginning 25 years ago. It was hoped that the Allied proclamation of the countries independence in 1941 would have ended i the long discord. Unfortunately the French have been trying from time vj time to prevent the Lebanon and Syria from achieving their rightful aims and exercising full independence and sovereignity. “The French have now put forward demands not mentioned before. The reply of the Lebanon and Syrian Governments was that they would never accept such claims. The French claim a privileged position, bringing up various arguments such as that if France does not occupy a prominent position, another Power would use such argument to justify dommatjgm of the free, independent peoples, but this cannot be taken seriously or discussed, especially when a worldwide organisation is setting out to maintain the peace and security of the world.”