Increasing Hostility to Italians

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 308, 17 December 1940, Page 7

Increasing Hostility to Italians

Syrians Deserting to Free French FEDERATION OF ARAB STATES United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. Received Monday, 10.20 p.m. LONDON, Dec. 16. According to the Daily Telegraph’s Ankara correspondent reliable news from Aleppo, Damascus and Beirut declares that the population of Syria and Lebanon arc becoming increasingly hostile to the Italian Armistice Commission, the members of which keep much in the background, evidently fearing personal violence. There are also demonstrations against Italy. Britain’s threshing of Mussolini’s self-styled invincible armies in the Western Desert has immensely helped to raise the general optimism of the Syrians. Despite threats of very heavy penalties scores of Syrians are escaping daily to Palestine and enlisting in the Free French Forces. The Syrians blame Italy for Britain’s partial blockade against Syria and admit that Britain is right in preventing Syria from trading with France and North Africa because Syrian products might be diverted to the Axis. There is no serious lack of foodstuffs in Syria, but there is an acute shortage of coal. The Ankara radio stated that the British victory in the Western Desert paved the way for new political developments. There is much talk in the Arabian world of secret negotiations between the Arabs and Britain envisaging a plan for the federation of Arab States after the war, including Italian Tripoli. The Arabs are openly rallying behind their leaders who are pro-British.