890E.00/160: Telegram
The Diplomatic Agent and Consul General at Beirut (Wadsworth) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 4—4:25 p.m.]
266. Reference my 255, August 16, 5 p.m.55 Lebanese parliamentary elections were held August 29. In each of 5 electoral districts [Page 988] except Beirut approximately 60 percent of eligible voters went to polls, in Beirut only 26%; these percentages being roughly those of earlier elections.
In Mount Lebanon there were 3 rival lists; in each other 2. In North Lebanon and Beqaa full quotas of candidates obtained clear majorities of votes cast; in other districts runoffs (when majority is not required) will be held September 5 for unfilled seats, namely: 1 of 10 in South Lebanon, 4 of 9 in Beirut, and 9 of 17 in Mount Lebanon.
Interventions and pressure by French and French supported Lebanese regional officials continued—even increasing according to Spears—but were in considerable measure effectively blocked by latter’s energetic protests and counter measures.
Most important British protest with 6-page bill of particulars was addressed August 24 to Helleu whom Spears still believes honest but distressingly weak in control over subordinate French officials. Ending with reservation as to recognition of election results, this protest led Helleu, although denying charges, to issue public statement urging all to vote freely. This statement and obvious British support for freedom of elections were exploited by anti-French leaders to bring waverers into line; and notably in North and South Lebanon and Beqaa French favored lists were defeated by relatively independent fusion lists substantially representative of local factional leadership.
In Beirut, despite relatively small vote, interest was keen and results unexpected, well organized list of moderately pro-French politician Georges Tabet being defeated by later organized list headed by former Presidents Naccache and Tabet and Premier Solh.
Probable explanation lies in late popular swing primarily among Moslems desiring to show displeasure with French by reinstating these recently French ousted leaders. Some well informed observers however suggest manipulation of voting by French because preferring this list generally to rival list supported by Moslem executive and specifically because reasonably sure they can again control Dr. Tabet who still aspires to presidency.
In Mount Lebanon, despite Chief of State’s personal comment that “all elections passed without serious incident”, there was and still is bitter recrimination and some rioting between long time rival Khouri and Edde factions, French light armored car unit being sent to local governor seat at Baab day following elections.
There following earliest unofficial estimates that Khouriist had gained substantial majority, Governor (notoriously a strong Eddeist) announced that seven of eight successful candidates were Eddeists. Accusations of fraud were hurled by angry crowd, notably that seals [Page 989] on district returns were broken before central counting of ballots. More trouble is expected during runoff elections.
Elsewise most serious charges are extensive purchase of votes (notably in Beqaa) and strong arm tactics (notably in North Lebanon). It was in latter district that Karameh list defeated that of Maronite Patriarch’s nephew Aouad. Patriarch now telegraphs me “Country in ebullition, I recommend setting up inter-Allied commission to establish violations of law before reunion of Chamber”.
In general according to best informed foreign observers (notably my British, Iraqian and Egyptian colleagues) these election results show marked improvement over those of any earlier election as to independence of voting, corruption of Lebanese officials and maintenance of order, reservation being made as to still confused situation in Mount Lebanon. Even there however fact that Edde himself, even with strong French support, was not elected on first balloting is cited as healthy sign.
- Not printed.↩