890d.00/226: Telegram
The Consul at Beirut (Knabenshue) to the Secretary of State
[Received 2:35 p.m.]
Demand from Damascus 100,000 pounds (Turkish) gold and 3,000 rifles by noon tomorrow, otherwise bombardment city will recommence. The President of the Syrian Assembly, who is one of the commission of seven representing people of Damascus who have just arrived at Beirut to negotiate matter with French High Commissioner, informed one of my staff that they intend to inform him that Damascus is unable to pay either the money or arms and that if, for failure to pay such fine, he recommences bombardment, it must be upon his own responsibility. … If bombardment recommences, situation will become most serious but it is [hoped?] and believed the arrangements will be made somehow to postpone or prevent bombardment. Would the Department not consider using good offices with Paris?