740.0011 European War 1939/13251: Telegram
The Consul General at Beirut (Engert) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 17—11:10 a.m.]
302. Generals Wilson and Catroux arrived in Beirut this morning and at the Grand Serail received the head of the Lebanese Government and his Cabinet, high ecclesiastical dignitaries both Christian and Moslem, the Consular Corps and native and foreign notables.
General Dentz left yesterday morning for Tripoli just before the arrival of the first British troops.
I have had a talk with Wilson at my house and with Catroux at his office which I shall report separately. Both said that unless the uncompromising attitude of the Vichy French in Beirut was modified Catroux would have to ask Gouton and Dentz to leave the Levant States immediately. As anticipated, there was an unpleasant little incident this morning when the proceedings were held up for half an hour because Gouton refused to turn anything over to Catroux.
Repeated to Vichy and London.