HAND OVER SYRIA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23969, 20 May 1941, Page 7

HAND OVER SYRIA

NERVELESS FRENCH AID GIVEN TO GERMANS MUNITIONS SENT TO IRAK LONDON, May 18 According to the Ankara correspondent of the Times the first 30 bombers sent to Irak -were mostly old-fashioned machines of French manufacture which the Germans captured last year. An Ankara report confirms the view that Syria has been handed over lock, stock and barrel to the Germans, Tlio railway is reported to be in German hands. They are making armed bases for the transport of war materials to I ra k. The French are helping the Germans by facilitating the passage of Syrian volunteers for Rashid Ali's army. About 5000. who are described as a "dissatisfied riffraff" have been brought to the frontier in French military lorries and are now awaiting a favourable opportunity to cross, ft is reported that n small detachment which crossed within the past few days met a shower of bullets and bombs from British aeroplanes. French statements of the actions almost give the impression that they have given up responsibility for Syria. There is no evidence that the French have attempted to defend their aerodromes from the British bombers, and they are sending to Irak daily irreplaceable guns and ammunition. This does not indicate any intention to resist lin as;on An Ankara message reports that several train loads of war ma terials passed from Syria to Irak on Friday and Saturday. As the railway passes through Turkey, the Turks, under the convention, must be notified of the passage of such materials in excess of one truckload, but have no power to hold up traffic. This, however, is not expected to continue, as it is known that stocks of munitions and petrol in Syria are short.

FRENCH IN EGYPT ANTI-VICHY DECLARATION "MOUTHPIECE OF FRANCE" (Heed. T.to p.m.) LONDON, May 18 The Cairo correspondent of the independent French news agency says that a national committee of Frenchmen in Egypt has drawn up a declaration in which it protests against the cession of Syrian aerodromes to Germany. The declaration proclaims: "The committee emphatically denounces the hypocritical and underhand character of the concession, which, by creating a new menace to the valiant Imperial troops in the Middle East, may oblige our ally to take legitimate measures for the defence of her interests. "We know that in protesting against this last and, particularly odious, abdication we are acting as the mouth--1 piece of all French people in our Homeland who are obliged to keep silent." The leader of the Free French forces, General do Gaulle, said that the Germans had already announced that the "black continent" would come under one control. It was the duty of Frenchmen to rebel against the traitors who were surrendering the French Empire after having sold their Fatherland. Frenchmen must use their arms against the enemy.

"ONLY FLEW OVER" FRENCH GENERAL'S CLAIM LONDON, May 18 The French High Commissioner in Syria, General Dentz, broadcasting from Beirut in French and Arabic, said: "You have heard the address hy Marshal Petain, which was full of firmness and wisdom. It means that Vichy is detei mined to secure order and peace for France and her Empire. "Alter the incident at Dakar, Britain has now seen fit to attack aerodromes in Syria under the pretext that they have been put at the disposal of the Germans, Actually German aeroplanes onlv ( flew over Syria, 'There is nothing to prevent France from defending her independence or the independence of her empire. The course of events will only draw France, Syria and liCbanon closer together. "My task is to defend the skies and soii of Syria. I am determined to fulfil this July. We are prepared to meet force by force." The presence of German aircraft, General Dentz said, did not mean tho occupation of Syria or interference in its affairs.

JAPANESE IN ROME LONDON, May 10 A Japanese mission has arrived in Rome. The mission will visit the Western Front, and war factories and naval bases in Italy.