SYRIA SITUATION

Grey River Argus, 22 May 1941, Page 7

SYRIA SITUATION

REPORTED WORSE Pro-British Element Arrested [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] (Received May 21, 9.50 p.m.). I LONDON, May 21. “The Times” Cairo correspondent reports as follows: —The internal situation in Syria is becoming worse. . At Beirut the electric power station has broken down, thus putting out of action the lights and the tramways. Th e rationing of tnestservices had been already severe. It is being considerably tightened up. A systematic campaign of arrests has been begun. It is roping in am French officers, officials, or Syrian politicians in Beirut or Damascus who are suspected of sympathising with General de Gaulle. The Government of Syria bas stjarted mass dismissals in a political purge. Bombing in Syria FRENCH threaten reprisals, (Received May 21, 8.10 p.m.). LONDON, May 21. High authorities at Vichy have declared that, if Britain continues to bomb the French aerodromes in Syria, France will inevitably carry out reprisals. FRENCH AIRMEN IN SYRIA. LEAVE TO JOIN DE GAULLE. (Received May 22, 1-5 a,m_). JERUSALEM, May 21. _ Several French pilots, frying their own machines, have lancted at a Palestine airport from Syria, to join the Free French Forces. GERMANS IN SYRIA. LONDON, May 20. Refugees reaching Palestine from Syria say that German “tourists” are pouring into the country. Every train from Turkey brings. hundreds of civilian-clad Germans into Syria. Most of these Germans are going to Aleppo and Damascus.

French Attitude

RAIDS RESENTED.

LONDON, May 20.

General Dentz, in a communique, < said: On instructions from Vichy, I have notified Mr. Havard,. the British Consul-General at Lebanon, that he must cease activities and leave the country. This measure is a reply to the expulsion of the French Consul-General from London. Another announcement at Beirut says: After the British attacks on Syrian aerodromes, the Government has decided to terminate the activities of all British Consulates in Syria and Lebanon. They were no: titled yesterday, and will leave with their staffs, this week. The Associated Press Vichy’correspondent says that the Minister for Air (M. Bergeret) has gone to Beirut, “to organise the defence of Syria i against air attacks.” The Berlin radio stated that French fighters went Into action against British planes which were raiding Syrian aerodromes. A Free French News Agency report says that the French commander at the Damascus aerodrome refused to allow German planes to land there. Other French officers supported the commander. A German , officer eventually took command of the base. According to the French News Agency, the Germans are erecting a radio station and an aeroplane repair shop in Damascus. British Air Raids IN SYRIA AND IRAQ. LONDON, May 20. ' A R.A.F. Middle East communique states: “In Iraq and Syria, aircraft of the R.A.F. bombed military targets in and around Fallujah, yesterday, prior to the entry of our [troops into the town. Our aircraft also attacked the Palmyra aerodrome in Syria, where German aircraft were machine-gunned and bombed. Turkey Warned DANGER OF GERMAN APPROACH. (Received May 22, 2.18 a.m.). I ANKARA, May 21. Wal.tchin, writing in “Yenisabah,” says: It is Turkey’s duty to prevent Germany from establishing herself in Iraq and Syria. If Germany instate troops in Syria, Turkey will be in mortal danger. We shall be forced to intervene. We must maintain contact; with our British allies and keep an open road to the .outside world i TURKISH CRITICISM OF FRANCE. j ANKARA, May 21. Papers attack the Vichy’s Government for its “ignominious role." FRENCH MINISTER'S VISIT TO SYRIA. LONDON, May 21. General Desiree has gone to Syria to organise action for the defence of aerodromes.