SYRIA IN THE LIMELIGHT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 89, 14 March 1941, Page 4

SYRIA IN THE LIMELIGHT.

Though reports coming from a German source must be accepted with reservation, there is good reason to believe that Syria is far from satisfied with the existing conditions in _ this mandated territory which should be under strict French control. Its population, the report states, increasingly favours the Free French Movement and in this development British agents have been active. The populace lately have been exercised by the German occupation of Bulgaria,’ and it was reported that the authorities were making dispositions to strengthen the defences. When the French collapse occurred last June, General Mittelhauser (Commander of the French forces in the Levant) decided that hostilities would cease, but that the tricolour would still be flown in the mandated territories of Syria and Lebanon. Subsequently, the Italians sent their armistice commission which reported little success and was later withdrawn, its place being taken by. another delegation from Italy. This one also has not been a success for the very good reason that the people have no love for intruders, even the French Administration not being exactly popular. Should the Germans reach the Middle East they too would find the Syrians an implacable enemy. The British Government has given a pledge to Syria that it will not allow this country and the Lebanon to be occupied by any hostile Power, or to be used as a base for attacks upon the countries in. the Middle East which it is pledged to defend, or to become the scene of such disorders as to constitute a danger to those countries. Knowledge of this nius strengthen the Syrians m their determination to resist attacks from the aggressor Powers.