BRITAIN'S PLEDGE

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 3, 3 July 1940, Page 7

BRITAIN'S PLEDGE

SYRIA AND LEBANON

FUTURE STATUS DISDUSSED

WEYGAND'S VISIT

LONDON, July 2.

It is reported from Athens that General Weygand, former Comman-der-in-Chief of the Allied Armies, passed through today on his way to Syria. He was last in Syria only a few days ago, and it is believed that his visit then caused the French commander, General Mittelhauser, to change his mind and decide not to fight on. This decision led the British Government yesterday to announce that it would not allow Syria and the Lebanon to fall into hostile hands or to become a base for attacks on Turkey, Irak, and Egypt.

This declaration, which amounts to a renewal of Britain's pledge to defend those countries if they are attacked, is regarded here with relief, though one or two papers think it a pity that it was not given sooner. The British declaration recalls the attitude adopted by the Turkish Government when the prospect of a Franco-German armistice was first announced. It was then stated in Istanbul that Turkey would not permit the installation in Syria of a Power other than France. This attitude is in accord with that assumed by Britain, whose intervention, should it be necessary, would be designed to maintain the present status of Syria as a country under French mandate. The future status of Syria is also a matter of close concern for Irak. The Foreign Minister of Irak arrived at Damascus today from Ankara, where he has been having, conversations with the Turkish Government. He is understood to have discussed, among other things, the future status of Syria and the Lebanon should the Axis Powers make any move against that country. He conferred, also, with the British, Turkish, and Irak Consuls in Syria and the Lebanon, and met the former Syrian Premier, the former President of the Chamber, and other Syrian personalities.

LONDON, July 1

General de Gaulle, leader of the French. National Committee movement, I announced that he has appointed ViceAdmiral Muselier to be commander of the free French naval and air forces. Several ships and several air groups are already under the command of Admiral Muselier, who- was a collar, orator with M. Clemeneeau, the French leader, in 1917-18, and he later commanded the 2nd Cruiser Squadron in the Mediterranean.

The commander-in-chief of the French forces in Northern Africa, Gen.eral Nogues, has obeyed General Weygand's orders for demobilisation of the army, says the Tangier correspondent of "The Times." The senior officers under General Nogues regard General de Gaulle as too young.

The "Daily Telegraph" says that the situation in Syria is most confusing. Several officers around General Mittelhauser, including his chief of staff, Colonel de Carmillat, refused to carry out his orders and Colonel de Carmillat was arrested. Many officers and. men are going to Palestine,, and fighting is believed to have occurred because General Mittelhauser ordered frontier troops to halt them.

Discontent is rife throughout French North Africa, the correspondent adds. The German and Italian armistice commission is expected in North Africa in 48 hours to demilitarise the areas. The armistice provides for disbanding of the Foreign Legion, but one battalion of the Foreign Legion which came to England after serving at Narvik has promised to follow General de Gaulle wherever he leads.