SYRIAN ALARM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23970, 21 May 1941, Page 9

SYRIAN ALARM

VICHY'S TRUCKLING FRENCH TROOPS OBEY DISGUST AMONG OFFICERS (Refd. 5.35 p.m.) LONDON, May 20 The correspondent of the Times in Jerusalem reports that the readiness of the Vichy Government to sell the independence of the French mandated territories in the Middle East has caused great consternation in Syria and Lebanon, where there is great apprehension that the country might become a battlefield. The public have not been informed of Britain's announcement that she is taking measures against the German aii-men in Syria, but the news is being picked up secretly, and quickly passed on. Tito permission given bv the Vichy Government for the use of Syrian aerodromes by the Germans has caused a most painful impression among the French troops in Syria, says the correspondent of the same paper in Cairo. The Free French news agency states that the officer in charge of the Damascus aerodrome refused to allow German aircraft to land. He was replaced by an officer of pro-German sympathies. Free French pilots took part in a raid on one Syrian aerodrome. French Forces Withdrawn General Dentz. the French High Commissioner in Syria, has no alternative to the carrying out of the Vichy Government's orders, unless it be to resign. The officers and men of his army are disgusted by this latest truckling to German demands. Fifty French officers and non-com-missioned officers at Kayak* have been placed under close arrest owing to their pro-British tendencies. The French air staff has been withdrawn from Palmyra, leaving the aerodrome at the disposal of the Germans. According to reliable reports, the main body of the French forces on the Syrian frontier has also been withdrawn, says the Cairo correspondent of the British United Press, but Syrian, Palestinian and Moroccan troops are continuing to patrol the frontier. Civilian residents have been evacuated to villages near the border. . French Fir 6 on British The Daily Express correspondent at Beirut reports that French anti-aircraft guns fired on British aeroplanes which were bombing the Ravak airfield on Sunday. No British aeroplanes were hit. A Cairo message states that about 50 German aeroplanes have passed through Syria on their way to Irak. They are in addition to the 800 tons of. munitions previously announced. It is reported from in Cyprus, that the British intelligence officers in the Middle East have been fully aware for some time of the German plans to use Syrian air bases, and gounter-measures were prepared. General Dentz recently had a difficult time, with bread riots and desertions to General de Gaulle, and also with the growth of the pan-Arab movement in the byways of Damascus. Civilians Evacuating Syria Britons, Americans and nationals of Palestine are leaving Syria and Lebanon on the advice of their consuls, states the Jerusalem correspondent of the Independent French news agency. He adds that the road between Beirut and northern Palestine is reported to have been mined. German agents at Beirut are energetically attempting to unnerve the jocal population by spreading all kinds of lying rumours. Xo uniformed German's liave so far been seen in Syria. According to the Independent French news agency, the Germans are erecting a radio station and aeroplane repair shop at Damascus. A British correspondent on the frontier' states that in spite of the official French protests, relations between the British and French troops on the frontier are good. The correspondent adds that the French forces have not been increased, but that some troops have been withdrawn. There is no change in the situation at Basra and Habbaniyah, says a Cairo communique. A message from Bagdad received at Vichy states that the mobilisation of Rashid Ali's army has been completed.

BRITISH ATTACKS AERODROMES IN SYRIA LONDON, May 19 A communique from Middle East headquarters of the Royal Air Force states: "In Syria bombing attacks were made on Palmyra aerodrome, where there was large German transport-. Aircraft on the Damascus aerodrome and at Rayak were also bombed and machine-gunned. Raids were also made on the Raschid aerodrome in Irak. "A number of fires were started at the Caiato aerodrome on the island of Eh odea m a result of a raid carried out on Saturday night. During enemy attacks on our aerodromes in Crete, a Dornier and another unidentified aircraft were shot down by anti-aircraft fire. "From all these operations one of our aircraft is missing."

GERMANS IN MOROCCO WELL-EQUIPPED UNITS LONDON, May 19 Germany is massing troops, disguised in Spanish uniforms, in Spanish Morocco, says the Daily Express Tangier correspondent. The Germans are believed, to be preparing for an air assault on Gibraltar or an attack on Dakar. Spanish colonial authorities, the correspondent says, arc assisting the Germans to move secretly to remote valleys in Morocco. r Lhe troops are equipped with tanks, armoured cars and troop-carrying trucks. LEAVING BATAVIA LONDON, May 20 Arrangements are being made in Bataria for the withdrawal of the Vichy representatives from the Dutch East I n d i es.