ACTION IN SYRIA

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 115, 17 May 1941, Page 8

ACTION IN SYRIA

Events in the Middle East, as might be expected after what has happened in Syria, are moving quickly. The Royal Air Force, in accordance with the authority given by the British Government for appropriate action to be taken, has bombed Syrian aerodromes used by German aeroplanes on their way to Irak to help Rashid Ali's rebels. According to one source the Nazi planes were escorted across Syria by French fighters. Officially, the Vichy Government admits the landing of German machines in Syria, but describes it as a "forced" landing, and declares that the French authorities there took steps, "in con- ■ fortuity with the Armistice terms." to see that (he German planes—the j number mentioned is twenty-two— left again as soon as possible. No doubt they were "under escort" of French aircraft enlrusled wilh (he duly of "seeing (hem off the premises" or "speeding the parting guest." Britain could not ignore I such a challenge. In strict inter- ! national law the foreign planes should have been interned in Syria. Instead they are passed on, to assist the enemies of Britain. To say the least of it, this is the sort of "un- | friendly act" that leads to a definite breach between two countries and Lo open hostilities. Is it the intention of the "men of Vichy" to provoke war with the former ally and always the friend of the French people? Is this hazard part of the price Marshal jPetain would pay, according to his

broadcast, for France "to overcome her defeat and retain her rank as a European and colonial Power"? The reactions to the Vichy chal-lenge—-which goes further than action in Syria—are prompt and unanimous in Britain and, it may be added, throughout the Empire. The call is for a reorientation oi the British attitude of patience towards Vichy, in the hope of better things. and for action in the interests of selfpreservation. The United States is equally uncompromising. President Roosevelt has issued a statement which declares:

It is inconceivable that the French people will accept a collaboration agreement, with Germany which, in reality, would imply an alliance with the Power that is seeking the utter destruction of liberty, freedom, and popular institutions everywhere.

United States policy, added the President, was based on the terms of the original Franco-German Armistice and recognised the "clear limitations" imposed therein. ■ Marshal Petain had agreed not to collaborate with Germany beyond the Armistice agreement. The. President laid particular stress on the menace to the Western Hemisphere if the French African colonies, including their Atlantic coast, were delivered up in a voluntary alliance with Germany. Many American commentators amplify the point with reference to the French West Indian possessions, particularly Martinique, where a hundred American planes 'are held up as well as the aircraftcarrier Beam, and also 250 million dollars in French gold. It has been stated that Marshal Petain was led to believe that this latest move of Vichy would help to confirm peace with the United States and keep that country out of the war. Nothing could reveal more clearly the unreal, oppressive atmosphere of Vichy and the tragic fact that the Marshal is "a !/*'! and worried old man" forced to yield at last: to the importunities of the Germans and certain Frenchmen unworthy of the name. On them will be the responsibility for the con-

sequences