ENEMY IN SYRIA

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 116, 19 May 1941, Page 8

ENEMY IN SYRIA

BASES FOR AIR ATTACKS

AID BY THE FRENCH

TROOPS FOR IRAK

(Rec. 2 p.m.) LONDON. May 18. Precise information about what is happening in Syria and Irak is difficult to obtain, but it is confirmed that the German operational staffs have taken over three Syrian aerodromes, which, it is expected, will sooti be bases for operations against the British forces in Irak, Egypt, Palestine, and elsewhere.

According to the Ankara correspondent of "The Times," the first 30 bombers sent to Irak are mostly oldfashioned machines of French manufacture, which the Germans captured last year. The French are helping the Germans by facilitating the passage of Syrian volunteers for Rashid Ali's army. About 5000 men, who are described as a disaffected riff-raff, were brought to the frontier in French military lorries and are now awaiting a favourable opportunity to cross. It is reported that a small detachment which crossed the frontier within the past few days met a shower of bullets and bombs from British aeroplanes. French statements and actions almost give the impression that Vichy has given up responsibility for Syria. There is no evidence that the French have attempted to defend their aerodromes from the British bombers, and they are sending to Irak daily irreplaceable guns and ammunition. This does not indicate any intention to resist invasion. The Ankara correspondent of "The Times" says: "Turkey is taking the' Middle East crisis calmly. It is thought that the British may well come out of this much better than the Germans. The British have an army upon the spot, and experience of handling the Arabs. The Germans can send troops to Irak only by air, and must rely upon a general Arab revolt. The Turks will be surprised if the Germans find the mass of the Arabs willing to serve them." i The Egyptian Cabinet sat all day on Saturday to discuss events, the gravity of which is evident, says a French news agency message from Cairo. Several Turkish newspapers, declare that Britain must occupy Syria urgently. One paper says she should have done so long' ago. An Ankara message reports that several train-loads of war materials passed from Syria to Irak on Friday and Saturday. As the railway passes through Turkey, the Turks, under the convention, must have notified the passage of such materials in excess of one truck-load, but they have no power to hold up traffic. This, however, is not expected to continue, as it is known. that stocks of munitions and petrol in Syria are short. *» ■ Bombay reports that the Nizam of Hyderabad has delivered a message to Moslems in India explaining at length the reasons for Anglo-Indian military measures in Irak and condemning the treachery of Rashid Ali. 'The Nizam appealed to Moslems to join in an expression of disapproval of the action of Rashid Ali and his clique, who have offended against the most solemn precept of Islam, which is to honour a | pledged word. FRENCH DEFENCE OF SYRIA. /The French Governor of Syria, M. Dentz, broadcasting from Beirut in! French and- Arabic, said: "You heard the address of Marshal Petain, which was full of firmness and : wisdom. It means that Vichy is determined to secure order and peace for France and her Empire. After the incident at Dakar, England has now; seen fit to attack aerodrpmes in Syria, under the pretext that they have been put at the disposal •of the Germans. Actually. German planes only flew over Syria There is nothing to ' prevent France from defending the independence of her empire. The course of events will only draw France, Syria, and Lebanon closer together. My task is to defend the skies and soil of Syria, and I am determined to fulfil that duty. We are prepared to meet force by force." —

U.P.A,