ARMISTICE TERNS AGREED IN SYRIA

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 164, 14 July 1941, Page 7

ARMISTICE TERNS AGREED IN SYRIA

FIGHTING CEASES

Extraordinary Scene When Conference Ended

I'.P.A. and British Wireless. Rec. 11 a.m. LONDON, July 13. It is reported from Acre, Palestine, that a Vichy commission, after a secret discussion lasting all day Saturday, initialled armistice documents pending their ratification. Six Australian dispatch riders escorted the Vichy representatives from Beirut. General de Verdillac represented General Dentz, the Vichy High Commissioner in Syria, and he was accompanied by several staff officers. .. Press reports from Cairo state H! at A n 1S officially stated there that me Allied terms for an armistice in byria have been initialled, but representatives of both sides have found it necessary to refer back to their respective Governments. A definite announcement is expected at an early hour.

The Allied commission comprised General Sir Henry Maitland Wilson, the British Commander-in-Chief; the Australian commander, LieutenantGeneral J. D. Lavarack; the Free French commander, General Catroux, and his chief of staff. Colonel Brosset, and Air Colonel Vallin, Captain Morse, Royal Navy; and Air Commodore Brown, Royal Air Force. The Germans released General de Verdillac from prison to fight in Syria, and he defended Damascus.

The Australian official war corres|pondent says an extraordinary scene occurred during the formal initialling of the armistice agreement at 10.20 p.m., after a conference sitting for 11 hours. The lights suddenly went out and the delegates struck matches and used cigarette lighters. General Wilson's car was brought up to the side of the building and the headlights switched on, but this arrangement did not last long. The blackout is very strict at Acre, and a voice shouted: "Put out those lights," and they were put out. At length four hurricane lamps were found and the armistice documents were initialled at 11 p.m. The French delegates immediately departed.

Final Signatures To-day

The draft agreement was hurried to General Dentz and will be returned to Acre at 11 a.m. on Monday for final signature.

No details of the terms can be obtained in London, but it is expected [that there will be an official announcement soon.

According to a message from Istanbul, the British armistice note included the following points:—The Allies have no aim in Syria except to prevent its being used as an enemy base; French representation in the Levant will be assured by the Free French; the Allies do not feel resentment against the French in Syria and are disposed to grant a complete amnesty; full liberty must be given the French troops in Syria to join the Allies, and honourable conditions will be offered all wishing to do so; all war material, railways, ports, communications, and wireless and petrol installations must be delivered intact; all warships must be handed over for internment at Beirut, and also all Italians and Germans in Syria.

Syria Important Stronghold

After General Dentz agreed to the terms for the suspension of hostilities, the Allied forces were ordered temporarily to cease fire as from midnight on Friday. Later a special communique stated that conversations between Allied and Vichy representatives were progressing satisfastorily, but certain details still remained to be settled. Meanwhile the suspension of hostilities was being continued.

The Vichy Cabinet met on Saturday night, but there was no mention of Syria in a communique issued afterward, according to which "general affairs" were discussed. A French spokesman said that General Dentz had full powers to negotiate an honourable suspension of the conflict.

It was reported from Ankara that British troops were to enter Beirut yesterday. Syria will be the most important military stronghold after Egypt. The British and Free French are reported to be creating great munitions and troop depots in Syria.