OCCUPATION OF SYRIA.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 194, 18 July 1941, Page 5

OCCUPATION OF SYRIA.

SATISFACTORY PROGRESS. (Roc. 10.20 a.m.) RUGBY, July 17. in Syria, under the terms of the convention, Allied forces hsive .now occupied selected strategic points. Id Central and South-East Syria the British and Indian troops, whose rapid advance iroin Iraq and Palestine was arrested only when the negotiations for a cessation of hostilities were initiated, arc. now in process of occupying further positions. Jn the northern area the occupation of Beirut has been completed. A cordial reception was accorded thp Allied forces, particularly the Australian troops, who had been in the forefront of the advance in the coastal sectors.

The Convention signed in Syria is. in fact, equivalent to a peace treaty —the signing of peace. This is pointed out in military circles in explanation of the use of the term "Convention.'' It is also pointed out that there was temporary cessation of hostilities until such time as an agreement had been reached on more lasting lines. The use of the term '•Convention" means that hostilities have finally ceased between Vichy and the Free French and British.—Official Wireless.