FRANCE’S BREACH OF FAITH

Evening Star, Issue 23886, 16 May 1941, Page 7

FRANCE’S BREACH OF FAITH

Nazi Planes In Iraq Use Of Syrian Aerodromes Allowed Britain Takes Serious View Of Action (British Official Wireless.) Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright RUGBY, May 15. (Received May 10, at 11 a.m.) The arrival of German aircraft in Iraq is recorded in a Middle East communique, which states: —Following an urgent appeal by Rashid Ali to his Axis partners a certain number of German aircraft has now arrived in the country, bringing , propagandists, agitators and other similar Axis specialists. The situation at, Basra and Habbaniyah is quiet. According to Reuter’s Cairo correspondent a number of German planes, with disguised markings, landed at three Syrian aerodromes, apparently bound for Iraq. Two Axis military missions arrived at Bagdad after flying over Syria. The Italian mission consists of two air generals their staffs and the German mission with fifteen members who arrived in two planes. A high German personage at Beirut is conferring with the Italian mission and the French authorities. MR EDEN’S GRAVE STATEMENT. A grave statement was made in the House of Commons by Mr Eden, when replying to a question regarding the position of Syria. He said: “Detailed information at the disposal of the British Government shows that the French authorities in Syria are allowing German aircraft to use Syrian, aerodromes as starting posts for flights to Iraq. His Majesty’s Government has in consequence given full authority for action to be taken against these German aircraft on Syrian aerodromes. The French government cannot escape responsibility for this position. Its action under German orders in per= mitting these flights is a clear breach of the armistice terms, and is inconsistent with the undertakings given by the French government.” Replying to a supplementary question, Mr Eden said that the proper action had been taken. A further question suggested that since Vichy left the League of Nations the French mandate no longer existed. Mr Eden said there wais certainly force in thd suggestion, and he would look into the matter. The United States had been infprmed of what was taking place. In view of*Air Eden’s revelation it is recalled that on April 7 Marshal Petpin, broadcasting an appeal for national unity, said: v Honour forbids us to take any action against our . former Allies, but the integrity of the country demands that the sources of our vital supplies should be preserved. It is against these needs that dissident propagandists are daily in revolt. The blood of Frenchmen has already flowed in fratricidal fighting. That is enough.”