890d.00/297: Telegram
The Consul at Beirut (Knabenshue) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 4—8:35 p.m.]
The new French High Commissioner, Jouvenel, arrived day before yesterday and today he waited upon the Legislative Assembly of the Greater Lebanon. It is his policy to offer peace to those who are peaceful but a fight to the finish to those who want war.
Jouvenel grants to the Legislative Assembly the right to draw up an organic law for the Greater Lebanon. He intimates that if the interior regions lay down their arms he will extend the same right to them.
Lebanese aspirations should be satisfied by Jouvenel’s declaration. This together with the fact that the menace of Druse invasion of the Lebanon has been relieved by the arrival of reenforcements during the past 3 weeks should assure public safety in the coast regions and make it unnecessary to keep destroyers here to protect Americans in this region.
Very likely there will be no cessation of guerrilla warfare in the interior [but it is not probable?] that the coast will be disturbed. I recommend, therefore, that the destroyers be withdrawn at once so as to strengthen further the position of the new High Commissioner and help me in my relations with him. Sent to Paris Embassy and to the Department.