740.0011 European War 1939/6221: Telegram
The Consul General at Beirut (Palmer) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 24—8:52 a.m.]
117. Department’s No. 80, October 17. British Consul General, with whom I have been constantly in touch has again assured me that to the best of his knowledge and belief the Italian Commission here in its relations with the High Commission and the French military authorities has been careful to maintain a correct attitude and to avoid unjustifiable or unreasonable demands; that in his opinion Italian propaganda in Lebanon and Syria is of little consequence.
This opinion is shared by American consular dragomans here and in Damascus and by the British Consul General in the Syrian capital, with whom I dined there 2 days ago; also by other well-informed [Page 921] friends who have given me their views during the past few days and whose statements [merit?] full credence, including President Edde,35 President Dodge of the American University and prominent Lebanese-born Palestine citizen George Antonius.
It is generally admitted that Italians are endeavoring, principally through schools and Maronite clergy, to raise Italy’s prestige here at the cost of [apparent omission]; but their activities in this respect are merely cautious revival of activities that were no secret before Italy’s entry into war and seem to cause little concern in local French official circles and to be discounted by British consular officers and others that might be disturbed if such activities were considered likely to be effective.
Considerable increase in number of Maronite students at American University this year, with corresponding decrease at French (Jesuit) University, it is believed to be due partly to Italian suggestions in Maronite circles that French may not count for much here in the future; but this in itself is obviously not likely to [disturb?] the French; and Maronite support is unquestionably prejudicial to such chances, if any, as the Italians may have had for success among Moslems.
Reports that Italian agents have been feeling out Kurds and certain Moslem Arab leaders, both tribal and political, including former Syrian Ministers Jamil Mardam and Saadalahjabri, come from well-informed sources; but such Kurdish support as may have been cannot be expected to be loyal or lasting and there is little encouragement to be found in receptiveness of political leaders who had already lost much influence before their recent flight from Syria (reported in my telegram 116 of yesterday36) following indictment for complicity in murder of principal political opponent.
Considering that Italians in general are heartily disliked by Moslems of Syria and Lebanon as well as by a majority of non-Moslem elements, it is difficult to understand how they could cause serious trouble for French if the Italian Commission were endeavoring to do so, which does not appear to be the case. It was reported soon after Commission’s arrival that subordinate personnel had manifested an attitude of superiority in various public places that aroused unconcealed resentment on the part of Lebanese; but the head of the Commission and his fellow delegates appear to have avoided such incidents and to have taken steps to prevent further indiscretion on the part of their assistants.
Even as regards Maronite member of staff of this office tells me that Maronite Patriarch, generally regarded as past master in art of give [Page 922] and take, with emphasis on the latter, recently turned down suggestion of an influential member of his flock that his Beatitude invite Italian delegates to luncheon; the welcome conclusion among Maronites being that although Italy may now consider herself prospective successor of France in Lebanon, if not in Syria, Italian influence here falls far short of [apparent omission], and gives little promise of ever reaching a point where it would have to be reckoned with.
Further indication of lack of local French concern and apparent absence of grounds therefor in respect to Italian influence and activities is found in High Commissioner’s reply 10 days ago to my inquiry whether Italian Commission was causing trouble in Lebanon or Syria. He assured me that it was not and told me that members of now discredited but potentially troublesome Parti Populaire Syrien had recently approached certain members of the Commission with a view to obtaining their support for pro-Axis activities here but had been turned down. Whether Italian stand was prompted by caution or by doubt as to usefulness of this group of malcontents, this incident suggests that French authorities here do not ignore possibility of trouble if Italians were disposed and able to make use of such opportunist elements but are satisfied that there is nothing to worry about as matters now stand.
Situation might change if German Commission were here, for there is considerable pro-German feeling among Moslems in Lebanon and even more in Syria and some such feeling in other circles. But only yesterday the High Commissioner emphasized that Germany has been showing surprisingly little direct interest in this mandated area, and he flatly contradicted persistent local rumors that Germans have recently arrived in this country to assist German delegate, Roser. Latter has now been here 3 weeks and the apparent correctness of his attitude, coupled with that of Italian Commission, may justify assumption that until Germans or Italians are in a position to establish themselves firmly here they will not risk playing into hands of British by irritating native population and antagonizing French authorities. The latter in fact find presence of the Italians here in itself and in so far as concerns their attitude and activities much less a cause for concern than successive disturbing incidents between French and British including British propaganda activities within and from outside Lebanon and Syria, and British repetition by broadcasts and otherwise of false misrepresentative reports that embarrass the French High Commission and irritate French military authorities.