NOT AGGRESSIVE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 116, 19 May 1941, Page 7

NOT AGGRESSIVE

VICHY'S INTENTIONS

BRITAIN AND U.S.A.

ATTITUDE TO RAIDS IN SYRIA

LONDON, May 17

The British bombings of Germanoccupied Syrian aerodromes are not considered to be an act of aggression, according to a statement issued by the Vichy Government.

The statement added: "France is anxious to safeguard her position as a great Power and to maintain the integrity of her territory and empire, and is entitled to discuss with her conqueror conditions for the mutual reorganisation of the Continent of Europe. That does not mean that she intends to attack Britain, and still less the United States."

Earlier the French High Commissioner in Syria, M. Dentz, referred to the British bombings as flagrant acts of hostility. Vichy's counter-announce-ment is interpreted in some quarters as a move towards stemming the crisis with Britain. It is even suggested that Vichy may be prepared to abandon I her Syrian mandate in order to avoid a clash.

Authorised circles in Vichy say that the presence of German transport planes on Syrian aerodromes is authorised by armistice clauses.

According to the Rome correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain, Italian planes as well as German have arrived at Syrian airports.

It is revealed in Cairo that a French plane on May 14 dropped the following dramatic message on a British aerodrdVne in-Palestine: "The Germans are here. Fod God's sake bomb our aerodromes." It is believed that the pilot flew from Damascus, where a French squadron is stationed.

The Commander-an-Chief of the Free French Forces in the Middle East, General Catroux, broadcasting to the Syrians, said that 800 tons of arms and munitions drawn from French stores in Syria had'been sent to Bagdad. "If you should choose to take up arms and chase out the enemy, I am at your gates with ardent French cohorts," he added

The Beirut radio stated that the French are strengthening their Syrian defences and reinforcing their garrisons on the Palestine and Turkish frontiers.