ALLIES CONCERNED

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25216, 31 May 1945, Page 5

ALLIES CONCERNED

ACTIVELY CONFERRING SEEKING AN IMPROVEMENT MR EDEN ANSWERS QUESTIONS LONDON, May 29 The Foreign Secretary, Mr Eden, replying to questions in the House of Commons on Syria and Lebanon, said the British Government was actively conferring with the French and American Governments. It would be inexcusable if developments in the Levant were to interfere with the prosecution of the war in the Far East.

Mr Eden was asked by Major-Gen-eral Sir Edward Spears, formerly British Minister in Beirut, what steps the Government was taking to implement the pledge to maintain the independence of Syria and Lebanon in view of the recent arrival of French reinforcements and the announcement of the withdrawn! of a British brigade.

Situation Outlined Mr Eden said a serious situation had arisen in Syria. The French had reinforcements. which recently arrived at Beirut. About the same time the French Delegate-General brought French proposals for a final settlement between the French and the Levant States. Considerable popular excitement had been caused, and there had been disturbances in Homs and Hama and, on a lesser scale, in Damascus and Aleppo. There was also some tension in»other parts of the Middle East. The net increase in the of French troops was very small, about 500 men, but the British Government had told the French Government of its fear that their arrival might cause regrettable reactions. A British brigade had been in Syria for a short period for routine training, Mr Eden added.. It had no connection with those events. Britain was in active consultation about those developments with the French and American Governments, which were also closely concerned because tension in the Middle East was liable to affect one of their lines of communication to the Far East.

Hopes for Prudence Mr Eden said he thought that in the interests of a settlement it would not be desirable for him to say more than that at the moment. Meanwhile he was sure the House would share his hopes that all parties involved in the present discord would behave with Caution and prudence. It would be inexcusable if developments in Syria or Lebanon were to create a situation which would interfere with the prosecution of the war in the Far East. Nothing in the present situation would justify such a development.

"The British responsibility," Mr Eden added, "is to try to the best extent in our power to hring about an improvement in the situation between the two Levant States, of which we are friends, and our great Allied friend across the Channel." Asked whether he would bear in mind the arrangements Britain had made in Irak, Mr Eden said the difficulty was to produce a situation in which the arrangements they had made in Irak Could be repeated, and that needed confidence between the negotiating parties, wh'ch unhappily was not in existence now.

CASE'FOR FRANCE REVIEW HV BIDATJLT INTERESTS IN LEVANT LONDON, May 2!) "France is prepared to crown her recognition of the independence of Syria and Lebanon with the withdrawal of her garrison troops, but first wishes to settle a number of outstanding questions," said the French Foreign Minister, M. Bidault, in a report to the French Cabinet on the situation in the Levant, as given out by the Paris radio. "It is a known fact," M. Bidault added, "that Syria and Lebanon were juridically placed under the mandate granted to France by the League of Nations. France,_ while waiting for an international decision which will permit her to renounce this mandate, has recognised the complete independence of Syria and Lebanon. She has only reserved the right to keep there the number of troops needed for the maintenance of order.

"France wishes primarily to ensure that her cultural interests will be .safeguarded in these countries of French influence, where she has founded many schools. The statutes, freedom and rights of these establishments must be recognised and protected after her troops harp left. France also wishes to have agreements with Syria and Lebanon to guarantee her economic interests thpre.

"France, by the treaty which ended the war of 1918. received an important share of Mosul oil, which was shipped to France by tankers loaded in Syria. The oil crossed Syria by pipeline, the protection of which must be ensured. France finally intends to guard her strategic interests and must be sure that she can use her air bases on the route from France to the Far East and that her warships can put into certain ports. "Recently, through her delegate to Beirut, France let it he known that she wishes to conclude definite agreements consecrating the total independence of Syria and Lebanon, but the respective Governments of these countries refused to open discussions. France sirnultaneouslv has had to relieve two battalions.

"Malicious propaganda and distorted information has implied that France is resorting to intimidation and hlackrtiail and that she is .trying to obtain by display of force and by threats what sho could not obtain :by negotiations. Such opinion is completely erroneous and belied by tie French attitude."