890d.00/288: Telegram
The Consul at Beirut (Knabenshue) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 28—3 p.m.]
With reference to the Department’s telegram November 24th, 8 p.m. From a technical point of view it was believed that the military operations taking place when my telegram of November 23, 6 p.m. was sent would result in a defeat of the Druses who had entered Southern Lebanon and their withdrawal into the interior and that henceforth all operations would be confined to the interior and that the coastal region would remain safe from attack. However the 4,000 French troops sent against the Druses at Rashaya succeeded only in relieving the garrison in the nick of time. The Druses numbering several thousand are now in occupation of Hasbaya and it is reported are awaiting large reenforcements from the Djebel Druse for an offensive in the Lebanon. In the meantime French troops withdrawn from Horns for the relief of Rashaya weakened the position there, the railway south of Horns was cut and fearing the seizure of the town by the rebels half the population have left upon the advice of the French authorities. Altaffer reports:
“November 26, 12 noon, railroad cut south of Horns, two battalions of troops have been sent from Aleppo. Situation here quiet but Christian population is apprehensive in view of military forces leaving district. Have you any suggestions to make in case it becomes necessary to advise the 43 resident Americans to leave city? Best exit appears to be via Alexandretta. The Government cannot be depended on to afford protection to foreigners.”
While some seven or eight thousand reenforcements have been received during the past 2 weeks it is believed that at least 20,000 additional troops are required.
Colonel Foy and Captain Fairfield believe that the disturbances will be confined indefinitely to the interior and that therefore destroyers are no longer required here. Inasmuch as there are in my opinion so many potential possibilities for more widespread disturbances I must recommend continued presence of destroyers until the situation becomes more clarified. Also sent to Embassy at Paris.