890d.00/416
The Secretary of State to the Consul at Damascus (Keeley)
Sir: The Department has received your despatch No. 392 of June 14, 1926,81 transmitting notes on the political situation in the Damascus consular district for the period June 6 to 12, 1926. Particular note has been taken of your account of the circumstances attending the bombardment of the village of Joubar, of your statement that the bombardment “was not preceded by an official notice to the Consular Corps as promised by General Vallier in his letter of May eighth”, and of your comment that “since this is the second promise of this nature that has been disregarded within a few months, the futility of further representations on the matter … would seem to be apparent.”
With reference to this comment you will, of course, bear in mind that the question of the efficacy or futility of further representations to the French authorities in connection with the protection of foreign lives and property at Damascus should not be permitted to influence any decision to be taken by the Consular Corps with respect to the advisability of addressing to the mandatory authorities any request for information which, if complied with, might render possible action on the part of the foreign consuls for the protection of their nationals.
I am [etc.]
- Not printed.↩