740.00112 European War 1939/2345: Telegram
The Consul General at Beirut (Engert) to the Secretary of State
Beirut, March 13, 1941—11
a.m.
[Received March 14—5:10 p.m.]
[Received March 14—5:10 p.m.]
74. My 70, March 11.30 The following are typical examples of instructions received by the High Commissioner from Vichy.
- (1)
- Although the SS Providence referred to in the first paragraph of my telegram No. 38, February 17, left Beirut March 1 the French Government refuses to restore to the British Consul General his pouch service unless the British Government agrees to a monthly sailing between Beirut and Marseilles without stops at Haifa.
- (2)
- The High Commissioner has been instructed to facilitate in every way all exports to Germany as Berlin has been complaining that the local authorities have recently been showing reluctance to grant export permits for goods destined for Germany. Please see in this connection my telegram 34, February 12, second [apparent omission] my 39 [38], February 17, my 40, February 18, my 63, March 7.31 As a result of German pressure some 50 tons of silk have just been shipped to Bulgaria apparently without encountering difficulties or delays in Turkey.
- (3)
- Vichy has given orders that the defenses of Syria be immediately strengthened. Numerous new earthworks and gun emplacements are being prepared all along the coast and on the Palestine border which can only be directed against England. There is also a rumor that Germany has demanded the use of ports and landing fields (see paragraph 3 of my 49, February 2632). I feel that the situation will soon require some such action on our part as suggested in the last paragraph of my telegram 49 if it is not to deteriorate still further.
Repeated to Vichy.
Engert