CRISIS IN SYRIA

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 115, 17 May 1941, Page 9

CRISIS IN SYRIA

Turkey Fears Encirclement

Swift Moves As Nazis Enter

FRENCH DIVIDED

British Sympathisers Arrested In Scores

(United Press Association.—Copyright.— Reed. 1 p.m.)

LONDON, May 16.

The position in Syria is rapidly moving towards a climax Swiftly, after the announcement of British bombing of Syrian aerodromes, comes the news of a French protest.

General Dentz, High Commissioner of Syria, hv a communique stated that a French officer was killed when British planes bombed Palmyra and Rayak and machine-gunned the barracks at the Beirut, Damascus and Rayak aerodromes.

A protest lodged with the British Consul-General at Beirut says: "The British action constitutes a flagrant hostility against France. In recent days German planes have made forced landings on Syrian aerodromes. The French authorities, according to the terms of the armistice, have procured their most rapid departure."

Vichy s decision to collaborate with. Germany has caused consternation in influential circles in Syria. It is reported that scores of Frenchmen sent there to try to counter De Gaulleist activities have resigned. Many incidents have occurred since the announcement that Hitler and Admiral Darlan, French vjee-Premier, are in agreement.

Free French flags mysteriously appeared on public buildings at Beirut, they were immediately taken down. Scores of suspected British sympathisers have been arrested.

Refugees from Syria arriving in Transjordan report an acute food shortage throughout Syria because the authorities have confiscated all the hoarded foodstuffs for military purposes.

It is authoritatively stated in London that should Britain enter hostilities against Vichy, French warships at Alexandria will certainly be seized. The French units have been demilitarised, but could be quickly commissioned. A fair proportion of French naval personnel is believed to be on the British side, but not the majority.

The Istanbul correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Bntain says news of the British bombing of Syrian aerodromes has caused a tremendous stir in official circles at Ankara If fighting spreads to Syria. Turkey would be virtually isolated from tne democracies to which her policy is attached. Well-informed authorities at Ankara say Turkey would maintain an attitude of non-belligerency despite Syrian developments, and would only abandon it if her independence was threatened. This course could only be interpreted as meaning Turkey would keep out of the war at all costs.