740.0011 European War 1939/4637: Telegram

The Consul General at Beirut (Palmer) to the Secretary of State

53. Department’s No. 38, July 11, 6 p.m. The British Consul General assures me that Wavell’s last visit was the one to which Mittelhauser referred in conversation with me on June 22 (see my telegram No. 38, June 23, 2 p.m.) and that he does not believe that Weygand had returned here up to that time or has since come here. He tells me that following the broadcast from Athens reporting Weygand there June 30 en route to Syria he cautioned the British authorities against accepting without verification reports from interested foreign sources regarding this area and later was informed officially that subsequent inquiry in Athens had failed to reveal anyone who had seen Weygand there and at various times since Weygand left here for France on March 29 I have inquired of High Commissioner Puaux as to the truth of successive reports that Weygand had returned. He has repeatedly told me that they were without foundation. Today he has authorized me to quote him as saying that at no time since that date has Weygand been in Syria or Lebanon; or in Greece, Turkey, Egypt or Palestine; or elsewhere outside of France as far as he is aware.

Palmer