NEW KING OF SYRIA

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 234, 28 June 1920, Page 5

NEW KING OF SYRIA

HOME RULE FOR THE LEBAN9NS ' PALESTINE'S FUTURE Emir Feisal, the great Arab chief, has been crowned King of Syria, being nominated by the Syrian Congress at Damascus. Tho now King at present resides in a "simple grey paintecf houso set amid trees on the hillside looking down on the orchards' of Damascus." To a special • correspondent of. tbo "Daily Mail" ho said: "Our action is justified becauso the Allies promised us long- ago. an independent Arab kingdom. But what immediately forced the PanSyrian Congress to take the step of proclaiming Syrian independence was the never-ending delay of the ; Peace Conference, to come. to. some decision."- . . No Imperial Aspirations.

In the "Journal- des Debats," M. Augusta Gauvain examines the situation created for France by the proclamation of Syrian independence and the policy whioh she should pursue towards the Kmir'Feisal. The Emir, he .thinks, might bo left at Damascus, and a limited authority allowed to him, but he must not be assisted in imposing his rule over those sections of the population which, rejecting his sovereignty, turns towards France. M. Gauvain finds a solution for the problem in ihe establishment of a Syrian confederation, in whioh France would play the part of nrbiter. The Emir Feisal could have an important place in this confederation if he consented to limit his ambitions, but be must not bo encouraged to aspire to play "an Imperial part." The moment has come, in the writer's opinion, for the friends ot France in Syria- to oppose to the Congress of Damascus another properly-con-stituted congress. The People of the Lebanons G,bjoeh "The 'Mokattam' has obtained the following from persons who have just arrived from the Lebanon," says tho "Times" Cairo correspondent. . "After tho decision of the Syrian Congress tho Administrative Council of the Lebanon met to consider, the Lebanese question. While they were deliberating they received an invitation from General Gomand to see him. This tliey did, being well received.

"General Gouraud asked them to protest against the decision of the Damascus Congress. One of the leading members, a Maronile, replied that be had been thinking of molesting in order to main--, tnin the -independence of the Lebanon, and guarantee the interests of the mountain, which had already advanced far on the road lending to independence. "The Council subsequently met and decided to hold a general Lebanese Conto hoist the Lebanese fiae everywhere, to prepare a constitution' and declare tho complete independennn of tho Lebanon witlr the assistance of the French, provided that the latter did not encroach on tho liberties of the mountain.". Allies and Emir Feisal, "Concern for 'Peace Conference discipline has prompted the British and French Governments to warn the Emir Feisal that his personal sovereignty over areas whose future status lias still to be settled by the Supreme Council cannot be recognised by them until the sanction of the Council has been first sought and obtained," says a diplomatic correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph." "At the same time, it is understood that, provided the Emir should comply with the demands made upon him by the Supreme Council and show a moderate mid conciliatory mood in tho impending negotiations, his claims will be treated with even- consideration. "Given certain guarantees, administrntive and, especially, economic, there will be no inclination mi the part of either ourselves or the French .to press for y the direct control, whether of. tho Syrian interior or of Upper Mesopotamia. On the other hand, the Emir's titular sovereignty, even if confirmed bv tho Supreme Council, will not bo permitted to obstruct the French mandate over, Lebanon or the British mandato over Palestine. Loudon and Paris are in complete agreement as to tin's." Asked what was tho attitude of liis Government towards the Lebanon (tho mountain' region of Syria l ), the new Kins of Syria replied; "The Lebanon may have entire independence, provided it does not place itself definitely in foreign occupation." Svrian Declaration. Here are the terms in which the National Conference of 117 members drew no their Declaration of Independence in Damascus:— "The Conference declares: (1) The complete independence of Syria within its natural boundaries from Sinai to the Taurus, and from the Syrian Desert to tho sea, without any protectorate, mandate or any t'unuof foreign interference; (2) tho proclamation of Kmir Foisnl as King of Syria; (3) compulsory military service; (1) tho notification of the representatives of the European Powers, and of the Peace Conference at Paris, of this decision."