740.0011 European War 1939/12279: Telegram
The Consul General at Beirut (Engert) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10:50 a.m.]
233. My 219, July [June] 17. Apostolic Delegate came to see me yesterday to inform me that at the request of the head of the Lebanese [Page 747] Government he intended to telegraph to the Vatican proposing that the city of Beirut and its environs be declared a “neutral area” by the belligerents. He inquired whether I would be prepared to telegraph my Government in the same sense.
I said I would be glad to tell Washington of the suggestion and that if my Government thought it feasible it would doubtless inform me on any steps it may be in a position to take. I also told him of the verbal message from Naccache mentioned in my No. 219.