890d.00/371
The Consul at Beirut (Knabenshue) to
the Secretary of State
Beirut, March 9,
1926.
[Received April 23.]
No. 2118
Sir: I have the honor to refer to my telegram
of February 20, 1 [2] p.m., relative to the
threat of the rebels to kidnap Consul [Page 143] Keeley and other Americans, and to the
Department’s telegram of February 23, 7 p.m., instructing me to bring
the matter to the attention of the French High Commissioner.
As the matter involved also a question of principle and policy I deemed
it desirable that my representations and the High Commissioner’s reply
should be in writing. However, because of the delicacy of the subject
and the possible risk of conveying an impression of unfriendliness, it
was considered better to present the case in an informal manner instead
of by an official communication.
For the Department’s information I enclose a copy of my informal letter
of February 25, 1926, to M. de Jouvenel and a copy of his reply. I am
very happy to call attention to the fact that in his friendly reply, M.
de Jouvenel accepted my representations in the spirit intended. I also
enclose a copy of the reply which his letter made necessary.
Reference is made to Consul Keeley’s despatch No. 329 of March 3, 1926,
on the same subject.
As a side light on the same subject I enclose a copy of my informal note
to Mr. Keeley of March 1, 1926.75
I have [etc.]
[Enclosure 1]
The American Consul at Beirut (Knabenshue) to the French High Commissioner to the States of
Syria and the Lebanon (De Jouvenel)
Beirut, February 25,
1926.
My Dear Mr. High Commissioner: I beg to ask
that I may be permitted to discuss with you, in a frank but most
friendly spirit, certain features of the situation at Damascus in so
far as they affect American interests there and the protection of
American citizens.
During the past several weeks it seems that armed bands have found it
possible to penetrate into practically all quarters of the city of
Damascus where they have entered and robbed certain houses and have
on a number of occasions kidnapped peaceful residents and held them
for ransom.
The McAndrews Forbes Company, an American firm engaged chiefly in the
exportation of licorice root, has been obliged to close its factory
and discontinue its business in Damascus. Both the Standard Oil
Company and the Vacuum Oil Company have received demands for payment
of sums of money to the bands with the threat that otherwise their
installations will be destroyed.
On the night of February 7th, 1926, an armed band forced its way into
the house of Dr. Melikian who resides in the Salhieh quarter. Dr.
Melikian is the Dragoman of the American Consulate. This band [Page 144] first seized money and
valuables to the amount of Pounds Turkish 3709 (gold) which the
doctor had in his possession and then carried him off and held him
for ransom. After ten days of captivity in which he suffered both
mental and physical discomfort, he was finally released upon the
payment by his family of a ransom amounting to Pounds Turkish 320
(gold).
Since this incident, information, which cannot be ignored, has come
to my attention, indicating that it is the definite intention of the
bands operating in and around Damascus to kidnap American citizens
in general and the American Consul at Damascus in particular. It
would seem from the information received that the object of the
bands is twofold; first, to secure considerable sums of money in the
form of ransoms; and second, to involve the United States
Government—nursing the vain hope of securing its sympathy toward
their rebellious movement.
In addition to this potential danger to American citizens the
incidents of last week, which gave rise to a threat on the part of
certain Moslems to attack the Christians of the city, have caused
considerable uneasiness not only among the native Christians of
Damascus but also among the foreigners residing there and it is
feared that they might, in consequence of such an attack, be placed
in a precarious position.
Very naturally the question arises in my mind whether, because of the
circumstances as related and in view of other possible
eventualities, it might not be advisable to evacuate all Americans
from Damascus, and as a logical consequence thereof to close the
American Consulate there. However, for many obvious reasons, such
measures are undesirable, and I should hesitate to resort to such
expediencies inasmuch as I would fervently wish to avoid causing
possible embarrassment to your administration.
It is in a spirit of most friendly co-operation that I bring these
facts to your notice, feeling that in so doing I may be of some
assistance in the formulation of measures which might be deemed
necessary for the protection of American citizens in Damascus. You
will of course readily appreciate that in the absence of any
disavowal by you of your ability adequately to protect foreigners my
Government must hold the Mandatory power responsible for the safety
of Americans in the disturbed areas.
Under the circumstances I should like to inquire whether in your
opinion American citizens may continue to reside safely in Damascus
and whether the appropriate authorities in Damascus will be good
enough to extend adequate protection to the American Consul and the
Consular premises there.
I am [etc.]
[Page 145]
[Enclosure 2—Translation76]
The French High Commissioner to the States of
Syria and the Lebanon (De Jouvenel) to the American Consul at Beirut (Knabenshue)
Beirut, February 27,
1926.
No. 89/D. C. M.
Your friendly letter of yesterday [sic]
touched me very much. I appreciate all the sentiments that dictated
it—the desire to avoid an evacuation, which would have a most
grievous effect, and the desire, as justifiable as the former, to
guarantee the security of American citizens in Damascus.
I received just this morning, almost at the same time as your letter,
a report from General Andréa stating that the network for the
protection of Damascus had been finished last evening.
If there were an American officer here, I should invite him to go and
see for himself that the city will from now on be secure against any
infiltration.
Do you wish me to ask the British liaison officer to make this trip?
General Andréa will certainly be glad to receive him. He will judge
with an impartial eye, and it might be well for both you and me to
have his advice.
In any event, I want to tell you that the American Consul at Damascus
can go to see M. Pierre Alype who is always at his service. M. Alype
will have him provided with means sufficient for his protection, and
will frustrate the singular tactics to which your letter justly
alludes in so scornful a manner.
On my part, my dear Consul General, I want to thank you for your
excellent procedure, and I beg you to believe that under all
circumstances I shall facilitate your task.
Sincerely yours,
[Enclosure 3]
The American Consul at Beirut (Knabenshue) to the French High Commissioner to the States of
Syria and the Lebanon (De Jouvenel)
My Dear Mr. High Commissioner: I thank you
very sincerely for your very kind letter of February 27, 1926, in
which you were good enough to inform me that the measures taken by
General Andréa for the protection of Damascus have been completed
and that the city is henceforth secure against any infiltration of
bands, thus guaranteeing the protection of American citizens in
Damascus.
I appreciate very much your willingness to have invited an American
officer to have visited Damascus were such an officer present
here.
[Page 146]
Your very kind offer to ask the British Liaison Officer to examine
the situation at Damascus with a view to advising in the matter of
the protective measures taken is also much appreciated, but for my
part I am very happy to accept the assurances and good judgement of
General Andréa.
Following your suggestion I have advised the American Consul at
Damascus to see M. Alype and to leave to the discretion of the
appropriate authorities such measures for his protection as they may
deem necessary.
I wish to thank you for the sympathetic interest you have manifested
in this matter and for the friendly co-operation which you have so
kindly offered.
I am [etc.]
