File No. 10044/266.
The Acting Secretary of
State to Ambassador White.1
Department of State,
Washington, June 19,
1909.
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.,
Consul General Ravndal to the Assistant
Secretary of State.
American Consulate General,
Beirut, May 19,
1909.
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.,