SYRIA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24721, 25 September 1941, Page 6

SYRIA

The announcement that the Free French authorities in Syria have appointed a former Premier of the country as president of a republic that is to be constituted may be regarded as the first step to the establishment of an independent State. Such a step is the logical effect of the pledge to which both Great Britain and France have committed themselves that Syria and Lebanon shall enjoy independence. It is a step that should be appreciated by the Arabs who have long sought the right of autonomous government. The formation of a Government, which has been described as a Coalition Government, marks additional progress towards the bestowal on the people of the privilege of controlling their own affairs. These are steps, however, that may be productive of certain complications. The view has, for instance, been expressed at Home that Great Britain may embarrass herself and may even inflict injustice if she endeavours to handle, or is forced into handling, Middle Eastern problems bit by bit. The argument is that any scheme which affords satisfaction to the Arabs must at the same time include a recognition of the claim for the establishment of a wellbased independent Jewish State. There is a definite foundation for the declaration made by the Board of Deputies of British Jews, in reply to a message from the Jews in Moscow, that “in the countries enslaved by the Nazis and Fascists, the Jews were the first victims and continued to be the special object of their brutality.” It is only natural, therefore, that the Jews have everywhere co-operated wholeheartedly with the opponents of the totalitarian States. Their co-opera-tion might have been anticipated even if British policy did not provide for the creation of a national home for Jews in Palestine. But Great Britain adheres to that policy. And fortunately it would seem that, since the war broke out, the clashes in Palestine between Jews and Arabs have died down completely. The conditions for the establishment of the national home have apparently been greatly improved.