FRANCE AND LEBANON

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 273, 18 November 1943, Page 5

FRANCE AND LEBANON

DE GAULLESSTATEMENT CONFLICTING REPORTS

(By --Preat Association —Copyrighti Recd. 7.30 p.m. London, Nov. 16.

“France cannot renounce her obligations, and her juridical position is incontestable in Lebanon,” declared General de Gaulle in a speech at Algiers. “France cannot allow troubles prejudicing the Allies’ strategic position to develop in Lebanon, Tne situation there is well on the way to solution,' he added. “The incident has not arfected relations with Britain, who has interested herself as mucn as trance in the Near Last situation and the destiny of the Arab peoples. I have never wished that during the war France should break her alliance with her allies. France wants a constitutional situation established in Lebanon. She cannot be suspected oi endangering the liberty of the Lebajiese, and she watched with sympathy the Arab people’s ideal of federation. While tnc French spokesman in Cairo stated that no incidents were reported in Lebanon to-day, Reuter’s correspondent at Algiers quotes informed British circles as saying taat there is no sign of calm in Lebanon, and despite the French claims that order has been restored reports of disturbances persist.

There is no indication, says Reuter, of any softening of the British attitude.

The President of the Irak Senate and other prominent people have cabled to Mr. Wendell Willkie, asking for independence lor Lebanon “in the interests oi democracy, the Allies, and the aims of the United Nations.”

The All-India Moslem League newspaper Dawn, commenting on the neoanon question, says: ‘ The outrageous conduct of the French intruders in Lebanon is an affront which is felt throughout the Islamic world, and Moslems in India are shocked at it. It is for Britain to see that the scandal stops.”

CRITICAL SITUATION

Recd. 6 p.m. Rugby, Nov. 16. The political situation in Lebanon is regarded in London as remaining critical, and urgent measures on the part of General Catroux appear to be essential to resolve the crisis caused by the arrest of the Lebanese President and Ministers.—8.0.W.