File No. 10044/266.

The Acting Secretary of State to Ambassador White.1

No. 389.]

Sir: I inclose copy of a dispatch from the American consul general at Beirut, relative to the aid extended by French and British officers in the protection of American interests in Syria.

The department will be pleased to have you convey to the French Government an appropriate expression of this Government’s appreciation of and thanks for the courtesies and assistance rendered in this connection by the French consul general at Beirut.

An instruction similar to this has been addressed to the American ambassador at London, with respect to the British consul general in Syria.

I am, etc.,

Huntington Wilson.

Consul General Ravndal to the Assistant Secretary of State.

No. 260.]

Sir: Respectfully referring to my dispatch No. 2502 of the 27th ultimo, regarding the relief of Latakia through the timely arrival of the French cruiser Jules Ferry, I have the honor to state that the British cruiser Diana, also in [Page 581] port here at the time, was preparing to proceed to Latakia, in reply to my unofficial representations, when it was learned that the French cruiser had decided to start forthwith. I had privately conferred with my British and French colleagues here on the subject of the dangers threatening American lives and property at Latakia, and both acted with most gratifying promptness and sympathetic interest. If agreeable to the department I would respectfully request that an expression of our Government’s appreciation of these services be addressed to the British and French Governments, special mention being made of the courtesy shown by H. A. Cumberbatch, C. M. G., His Britannic Majesty’s consul general in Syria, and Monsieur A. Fouques Duparc, consul general de France, Beyrouth. Dr. Balph, in behalf of the Americans at Latakia, writes me that “it was very fortunate that you were able to send us a frigate,” as threats freely were being offered, the town was full of refugees, and there were no soldiers with whom to oppose an attack from the mountains on the part of tribes bent upon pillage and murder.

I have, etc.,

G. Bie Ravndal.
  1. Mutatis Mutandis to the American Embassy at London, No. 1043.
  2. Not printed.