NO SIGN YET

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue LXXIV, 17 November 1943, Page 5

NO SIGN YET

CALM IN LEBANON British Attitude Has Not Softened N.Z. Press Association—Copyright Rec. 10 a.m. LONDON, Nov. 16. While the official French spokesman in Cairo stated that no incidents have been reported from Lebanon to-day, Reuters correspondent in Algiers quotes informed British circles as saying that there is no sign that calm in Lebanon and that despite the French claims that order has been restored reports of disturbances persist. There is no indication, says Reuters correspondent of any softening of the British attitude.

The President of the Iraq Senate and other prominent men have cabled Mr. Wendell Willkie, Republican candidate in the last United States Presidential campaign, asking for his support for Lebanon "in the interests of democracy, the Allies and the aims of the United Nations." The All-India Moslem League newspaper Dawn, commenting on the Lebamon question, says: "'The outrageous conduct of the French intruders in Lebanon is an affront which is felt throughout the Islamic world and Moslems in India are shocked at it. It is for Britain to see that the scandal stops." City of Beirut lifeless Reports from Beirut state that the capital shows no signs of life. All shops and offices are closed and communications with outside have been suspended. Strong military patrols, with tanks, are patrolling the streets. One correspondent saw various signs of trouble including a French marines' barracks badly damaged. He says that American citizens have taken statements from people in hospital and also gained valuable evidence from other sources. General Catroux is reported to have conferred with the French and British authorities in Beirut. Beirut radio to-day appealed to shopkeepers to reopen their shops and to citizens to co-operate in restoring normal life. The statement added that a civil commission would meet to assess damage done to premises during the disturbances and compensation would be paid without delay. M*. Emile Edde, the Lebanese lawyer, whom the French National Committee appointed as leader of the temporary Government, has formed a provisional Government of Lebanon, composed of seven directors of public services and five district administrators. They have been taken from the offices of the administrative services and from the internal security forces. M. Edde, in a statement, said the first task of the Government would be to ensure adeciuate food supplies. When the situation was normal again, he would attempt to make the Government more representative of the country's different political tendencies.

According to British Official Wireless, a Press message from Cairo says it is officially stated that conditions in Lebanon are returning to normal. Shops are reopening and no disturbances occurred yesterday. In London the political situation in Lebanon is regarded as remaining critical and urgent measures on the part of General Catroux appear to be essential to resolve the crisis which was caused by the recent arrest of the Lebanese President and several Ministers.