Lights Of Beirut Blaze Again

Northern Advocate, 14 July 1941, Page 5

Lights Of Beirut Blaze Again

(Rec. 2.30 p.m.) LONDON, July 13. The formal signing of the Syrian armistice is expected to take place within 24 hours. The lights in Beirut blazed again last night, but the Allied forces stood by in a constant state of vigilance. “No more fighting, thank God,” said a French officer accompanying General de Verdillac, who represented the Vichy High Commissioner in Syria (General Dentz), on his return from Acre. Tension Relieved He addressed these words to a British colonel at a road barrier marking the northernmost point of the Allied advance to Beirut from the south, and relieved the tense atmosphere which developed after the Vichy delegation passed through en route to Acre. Palestine merchants with branches in Syria and Lebanon are looking forward to a resumption of active business relations following the anticipated incorporation of the territories in the sterling bloc. Clothing and food valued at £250,000 has been rushed to the Syrian frontier by the American Red Cross in readiness for distribution to civilians. Little Left For Conquerors The German news agency says that most of the ammunition and petrol dumps in Syria were destroyed before the signature of the armistice, on the orders of the Vichy High Command. All Vichy ships had left Syrian ports, and Vichy aircraft were either flown to Turkish aerodromes or to French possessions. The Ankara radio says two unidentified generals and 50 Italians arrived in southern Turkey from Syria. Turkey is filled witn refugees.