SYRIAN SITUATION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 265, 8 October 1940, Page 6

SYRIAN SITUATION.

The extent to which the Syrians are determined to resist the relentless pressure of the Axis Powers to secure a footing has been shown by the recall of the Italian generals sent out to negotiate the surrender of the mandate. and their replacement by new delegates. Almost daily fresh demands are made by the Italian Armistice Commission, including protection against any Allied attacks, and the handing over of air and naval bases, as well as certain concessions for Axis nationals. In the past Arab nationalism may have been very outspoken in Syria, and to-day, their eyes opened by Italian treachery in Libya and elsewhere, these people are making a magnificent stand against the oppressor. Apart from the intolerable situation for the Arabs arising out of the Axis demands, the enemy would be guilty of yet another breach of international law were they to succeed. As a matter of fact the French officials have no right to concede anything affecting the future of the coun try. Syria is not a French colony, but after the Great War was placed under French administration as a Mandate of the League of Nations, with such decided aspirations towards independence that the Mandatory Power has in the past had to quell 'a succession of disorders. The fact that the League of Nations may at present have no effective existence does not alter the status of Syria, nor the anxiety of the Arabs to attain to a greater measure of self-government than they could ever hope to gain under Italian control. In addition Great Britain, Turkey, and Iraq are vitally interested in the issue and none could remain unmoved were threats to give way to aggressive action. Already "Italy has discovered the Syrians to be made of different stuff from the Albanians, and her aspirations of a facile victory - have faded rapidly.