890d.00/228: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France (Herrick)
391. I desire you to make immediate and vigorous representations to Minister for Foreign Affairs that this Government expects that all possible steps will be taken for the protection of American lives and property in Syria. In your representations you may make discreet use of information contained in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of Department’s 3906 which tends to indicate failure on part of French authorities to extend adequate protection to American citizens in Damascus as well as a failure to give reasonable warning of impending danger to American Consul and our nationals from French bombardment and evacuation of their troops.
Further you may indicate that this Government reserves the right to demand settlement for any injury to American citizens and property and to make such further representations as the facts of the case may warrant in the event that it should appear that injury to American citizens or destruction of American property had resulted from unjustifiable action of the French Military forces. In this connection note what Keeley says with reference to French bombardment.
- Not printed.↩