Speedy Success in Syria Vital to Britain

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 143, 18 June 1941, Page 5

Speedy Success in Syria Vital to Britain

njRKEY AND AXIS LONDON, June IS. ,ne Daily Mail declares: “Since the Vichy supporters are offering stout remittance, it is time wc converted' the advance in Byria from a political to a military operation. Speed is vital,” the paper declares. "We want. .Syria and it. airfields. We »aat tune to fortify them. Germany,

might any time launch a lightning airborne stroke, especially if assured that Turkey would bo friendly.

“Big diplomatic news can bo expected very soon. Ankara has been the centre of an offensive by the Nazi Foreign Minister, von Ribbentrop. It is possible for Turkey to sign a nonaggression pact with Germany without dropping her treaty with Britain. Such a move would be disappointing, but it would be no more than could be expected if we failed to impress our friends of our ability for more than defensive actions.

The occupation of Syria months ago and the retention of Libya would have enabled Turkey to resist the blandishments of the Axis. We are moving in Syria and Libya now, but it is too late, and in Syria we are moving too slowly. M

According to the Ankara correspondent of The Times, the Turks estimate that 10 per cent, of the French officers in Syria are hostile to Britain. They arc mostly naval officers and officers of the Seventeenth Sengalese Regiment, which is fighting south of Beirut. Twenty per cent, favour General de Gaulle. They are mostly airmen. The remaining 70 per cent, are equally divided between those who are obeying Vichy’s orders and those who are wavering.

The resistance of local garrisons depends entirely on the feelings of officers. This produces curious incidents. For example, the British column advancing from Iraq along the Tureo-Syrian border has an accompanying French column composed of -small garrisons which refused to fight. The men of the two columns freely frater-

The Daily Express correspondent at Sidon says that villagers everywhere are very friendly, and are supplying food, water and fodder.