LEVANT UNREST

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 152, 29 June 1945, Page 4

LEVANT UNREST

VOLATILE PEOPLE

KIWIS HAVE MEMORIES

By A. S. MUIR The recent disturbances in Syria and the Lebanon have particular interest for many New Zealanders who served in the Middle East for the Division was from to June, 1942, training and doing garrison duty in those States. The bazaars of Beirut and Aleppo, the "Street called Straight" in Damascus, where pokey shops selling a wide variety of wares abound, all know the inquisitive Kiwi, who found great delight in bargaining with the astute Syrian and Arab traders Those New Zealanders who have lived in the Levant will have no difficulty in picturing the excitement that prevailed when a few weeks ago the French landea Senegalese troops at Beirut. Rumour travels fast through the narrow streets and still narrower passages that abound in these congested cities, packed with a highly excitable and volatile people. The bazaars are ever a place of tale and story There passions are quickly aroused and the people, stirred to collective action, pour in an excited, shouting throng from their dark recesses into the main street and open squares.

State of Hysteria From reports received from Syria it is apparent that in Beirut, Damascus, Aleppo, and other centres of population when the tales of French action circulated, the people became worked up to a state of hysteria far beyond that which any New Zealand soldier has witnessed.

The landing of French troops was taken to be an indication that the complete independence of Syria and the Lebanon, which these States considered to be fait accompli, was to be denied them.

The Lebanon's Premier, Abdul Hamid Keramy, announced: "The French think that, with their troops, they can deprive us of independence, but, though they kill us, that they cannot destroy." The 4,000,000 inhabitants acclaimed this statement and the feeling against the French became intensely hostile. Syria ordered the mobilisation of all men between the ages of 18 and 60, and increased the gendarmerie to 5000 men.

The country seethed with rumour and to their aid rushed the newlyformed Pan-Arab League, which claims to speak with the voice of all. the Arab tribes of the East behind it. Riots, strikes and demonstrations broke out and French premises were attacked. The French took action and bloodshed followed. Many Syrians and Lebanese lost their lives or became casualties.

The intervention of the Arabs as a united body into Middle East disturbances is a new factor, and one that affects British interests to a marked degree. Outside Syria, but bordering on it, is the Jewish-Arab problem of Palestine, which is yet •far from, a satisfactory solution. In the Syrian fracas the British offered to act as a mediator, but neither party accepted this offer. Peace in the East is of paramount importance to Britain with the Japanese war still to be won, and Britain was compelled to take the strong stand •which called a halt to French tactics. What Franco Wants France, who in 1943 had given the Syrians and Lebanese every encouragement to believe that their independence was at hand, now wants to make a treaty of alliance and friendship giving France strategic rights, with airfields in Syria and naval bases in the Lebanon.

They also desire economic privileges such as preferential tariffs, and want the French language to be a compulsory subject in the schools. The Governments of the two States are quite in favour of a treaty of friendship and alliance, but stoutly refuse the other demands. Britain until about two years ago has encouraged these determined people to sever their French ties. Lately a change of British policy is considered to* have occurred, chiefly, it is said, because of the strength that Russia has attained in Eastern Countries.

The British Foreign Office has "regretted" the French incident and the Pan-Arabic utterances and stand, but meanwhile British troops, with tact and consideration for the Syrians and Lebanese, are restoring the position, demonstrating to the Arabs that the might of Britain is far from decadent. To the Arab, might is right. He has little, if any, sense of right or wrong as we understand it. The breaking of promises solemnly given has no significance for him, and is not considered dishonourable. In the desert the strong survive; the weak die, either by force or from the rigours of the life.

Britain will have to be strong in the Middle East for many years to come if the peace in those parts is to be maintained, otherwise the Arabs, Syrians, Lebanese, Jews and other races will get to loggerheads. Murder, bloodshed and raping will prevail, with far-reaching results to the rest of the world which cannot be estimated or foreseen.