Vichy Allows Use Of Syrian Aerodromes

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 114, 16 May 1941, Page 7

Vichy Allows Use Of Syrian Aerodromes

BRITAIN TO TAKE ACTION

LONDON, May \»

It was announced in the House of Commons today that German aircraft are being allowed by the French authorities to use aerodromes in Syria. Later it was reported officially that German planes have also arrived in Irak itself. The latter news was disclosed in today's Cairo communique, which says that, following- an urgent appeal by Rashid Ali to his Axis partners, a certain number of German planes have arrived in Irak, bringing propagandist agitators and other similar Axis specialists.

The Foreign Secretary, Mi*. Eden, in his statement earlier, said that the French authorities in Syria wore allowing- German aircraft to use Syrian aerodromes as staging- posts for flights to Irak. Consequently, his Majesty's Government had given full authority for action to be taken against these German aircraft at Syrian aerodromes.

Mr. Eden stated that the French about the concessions Vichy is making f> ,ii * a ~ r .~ na to Germany, though the Vichy GovGovernment could not escape ernment i/ makin | much propaganda responsibility for the situation. 1 er- a t, Out concessions which Germany may mitting flights under German orders make, such as releasing war prisoners was a clear breach of the Armistice and altering the demarcation line be- *. ti xr c an , Q k,,», r ncrr-oaA tween occupied and unoccupied France. terms The Foreign Secretaiy agreed The Wi] £ elmstrasse h .J made an . that there was certainly iorce in the other denial today. Reports of an suggestion that the French mandate agreement with Spain granting permisof Syria no longer existed, since the sion for German troops to march v . i J n , i„ j i r r,. ,!,_ through Spain were declared to have Jrichy Government had left the feeen s ins / red by rumour . mongei . s . League ot INations. j In a broadcast to the French people tonight. Marshal Petain, referring to Admiral Darlan's recent meeting with Herr Hitler, said he had approved the principle of the meeting. The question for Frenchmen was simply one of following the Marshal without any reservation, and if present negotiations were successful France would be able to overcome her defeat and retain her rank as a European and colonial Power. The French people, it is pointed out, are being kept completely in the dark about Vichy's new concessions to Germany. It is also reported that Swiss newspapers have been banned in France.

An agency report from Cairo says that a number of German planes with disguised markings have landed at three Syrian aerodromes. Axis military : missions are now said to be in Bagdad, after flying there by way of Syria, and a traveller who has just arrived in Cairo says that a high German official is having talks at Beirut with the Italian commission and the French authorities.

The situation in Irak in the Basra and Habbania areas remains quiet.

FRANCO-GERMAN AGREEMENT.

The Berlin Foreign Office today described reports of an agreement between Germany and France as pre-