740.00/472: Telegram
The Consul General at Beirut (Palmer) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 28—4 p.m.]
Department’s September 27, 4 p.m. High Commission authorities do not anticipate any serious trouble within or from outside Lebanon, Syria or Hatay. They regard internal situation as satisfactory and minimize dangers of attack air or sea but they consider their military forces fully prepared to deal with local disturbances should any arise and they have completed arrangements to insure adequate food supplies. I believe that their confidence in the efficacy of measures taken [Page 77] and plans made is justified and I do not foresee any special problems in connection with the protection of American citizens. But I am keeping in touch with the President of the American University, the head of the American Mission and the head of the Socony Vacuum Oil Company for this territory with a view to carrying out, if an emergency should arise and with such modifications as might be necessary, the program outlined in Consul General Marriner’s despatch No. 132 of December 28, 1936.11
- Not printed.↩