Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1941, The British Commonwealth; The Near East and Africa, Volume III

740.0011 European War 1939/12174: Telegram

The Consul General at Beirut (Engert) to the Secretary of State⁵

Beirut, June 17, 1941—10 a.m.
[Received 5:22 p.m.]

219. Head of the Lebanese Government, Alfred Naccache, has sent to me in strict confidence a copy of the note referred to in paragraph No. 3 of my 217, June 16.⁶ In this note the Lebanese Government expresses with unusual boldness the hope that the High Commissioner would follow the example of the great military leaders in France who ceased useless fighting in order to save the defenseless civil population. It points out that the present operations have nothing whatever to do with the territorial integrity or independence of the Lebanon and it suggests (1) suspension of hostilities before the Lebanon is laid waste. The French would not wish to repeat in the Lebanon that [for which] they reproach Reynaud;⁷ (2) negotiations between the belligerents with a view to declaring Beirut an open city whose defenses and port must not be used by either side for military purposes. Such a declaration to be made in any event by the French as soon as the enemy reaches the city limits; (3) large towns must be respected and must not be defended.

Monsieur Naccache added a verbal message for me requesting on behalf of the Lebanese Government that we sound the British authorities informally as to whether they would be willing to consider Beirut an open town provided the French make a declaration to that effect. Lebanese Government hopes for an early reply in order that unnecessary loss of civilian lives and destruction of property may be avoided. Incidentally, German agent Roser is reported to have said to a Lebanese official a day or two ago that the Germans would bomb Beirut within 24 hours after the arrival of the British. Paragraph 5 of my 200, June 9 and my 212, June 14.

As already pointed out in my telegrams the people in Beirut have touching faith that the British will not harm them if it can possibly be helped. An official British statement to that effect would therefore also have excellent propaganda value.

Repeated to Vichy.

Engert

5. This telegram was repeated to the Chargé in the United Kingdom as Department’s No. 2178, June 18, midnight, with instruction to bring it immediately to the attention of the Foreign Office.
6. Not printed.
7. Paul Reynaud, French Premier, March–June 1940.