SYRIAN ARMISTICE

Timaru Herald, Volume CL, Issue 22043, 16 August 1941, Page 5

SYRIAN ARMISTICE

Breaches Alleged

(Rec. 8.30 pm.) CAIRO, August 14. General Sir Henry Maitland Wilson vigorously protested against three breaches of the Syrian Armistice Convention. They were: — (1) General Dentz denounced as deserters French soldiers who elected to join the Free French. (2) The Vichy authorities summarily removed to an mbarkation port the families _nd baggage of many awaiting a chance to join General de Gaulle.

(3) The Vichy authorities sold a considerable quantity of war materials to civilians after the Convention was signed. These breaches are distinct from bad faith for which General Dentz was detained. Also there are numerous instances of obstruction. Gendarmes arrested 50 Vichy soldiers at Tripoli who intended to join the Allies. The Allies were compelled to arrest the gendarmes to liberate the soldiers. Captain Lyttelton has sent a message to General de Gaulle stating that he would be happy to repeat that Britain had no interests in Syria or Lebanon except to win the war without encroaching on the position of France. ‘Both pledge the independence of Syria and Lebanon. We admit that France should have predominant positions in Syria and Lebanon.”

General de Gaulle replied expressing happiness at the renewed assurances. “Free France, that is France, is resolve.: to pursue the war by the side of Britain until victory against the common enemies is assured,” he said.