890E.00/217: Telegram
The Diplomatic Agent and Consul General at Beirut (Wadsworth) to the Secretary of State
[Received 7:15 p.m.]
316. Farrell42 now in Beirut reports following chronology of Damascus reactions and events arising from Franco-Lebanese crisis.
First publication of Algies Communice and Lebanese response thereto occurred in Damascene press November 6. There was no immediate reaction either among public or in Parliament which was sitting that afternoon and evening.
Premier whom I saw that evening November 7 did not appear alarmed at situation and seemed optimistic that Helleu would return from Algiers with suitable solution. Looking back, this attitude [Page 1034] seems well to have characterized Syrian opinion until crystallized by November 11 events.
Incidentally Premier seemed more concerned at Egyptian Ahram news item of November 5 reproducing Willkie’s and Dewey’s43 declarations advocating opening of Palestine to Jewish immigration.
November 8 all quiet. Iraqi Chargé d’Affaires presenting letter of credence to Syrian Foreign Office. On morrow press editorialized on “Sagesse Syrienne,” hinting contrast to Lebanese imprudence.
November 10 I saw Foreign Minister Mardam. Although reflecting Premier’s attitude, he seemed more keenly interested, having returned from consultations in Beirut, and inquired concerning likely U.S. attitude to French Levant policy if situation worsened. He commented that at Cairo Arab union talks solidarity of viewpoint was achieved.
Early morning November 11 telephone calls from French Delegation informed foreign representatives of cancellation of Damascus Armistice Day parade. Rumors of Lebanese events reached us in mid-morning but French imposed obstructive telephone service and neither Legation nor British Consulate could contact Beirut.
First approximately accurate news was vouchsafed by arrival courier toward noon. Damascus Moslem, American-educated Deputy Sharabati called to say that public feeling now ran high, with majority of deputies inclined to cede to public pressure for immediate demonstrations.
President and Cabinet, he said, succeed in circumventing manifestations by argument that Syria now possesses its own government which should handle these problems; there was moreover wide speculation concerning American and British reaction; would our policies toward French in Levant in last analysis let Syrians down were they to manifest solidarity with Lebanese.
Friday 12th passed quietly except for noonday mosque ferment, and that evening dining at Sharabati’s house I learned of prospective midnight arrival of Lebanese parliamentary delegation referred to in Beirut Legation’s current telegrams. I was also told Damascus deputies and elements of populace desired specially to synchronize demonstrations with those expected to break out in Moslem Lebanese towns of Sidon and Tripoli.
November 13 evening witnessed orderly protest closing of Damascus shops and bazaar area. No French armed force was in sight and order was easily maintained by Syrian police. Delegation of 1,000 Damascus students demonstrated at Legation and before friendly Consulates. Five student spokesmen presented written protest condemning France’s acts in Lebanon adducing Atlantic Charter. I shook hands [Page 1035] with them on balcony to cheers of crowd. Shouts for Arab Lebanon were most frequent. No religious issue was voiced. Prominently waved was impromptu version of Lebanese flag abolishing France’s vertical striped tri-color for horizontal striped Syrian colors with three red Lebanon cedars replacing Syrian stars.
My translated reply that protests would be reported to American Government; that though Allies were busily engaged fighting war they would surely not fail to examine Lebanon’s case sympathetically; and conclusion that Allies are out to win this war elicited some cheers for Allied victory.
Meanwhile Foreign Minister had invited me to call. He handed me copy of note of even date to French Ambassador Helleu (so termed rather than Delegate General) expressing Syrian Government’s protest against French action yet making no demand for redress. On contrary note restrainedly states Syrian Government finds itself obliged to “accept with imposed reserve new situation created in Lebanon”.
Mardam again voiced interest as to American attitude and expressed hope that this time Catroux, soon to arrive from Algiers, would bring equitable solution. Sense of Department’s 272, November 12, midnight44 quoting instructions to Algiers will be communicated to him on my return to Damascus. Please instruct Damascus direct in Brown Code if he may be shown full text. Shops remained closed in demonstration on Sunday but Monday many opened at behest of President. This is confirmed by Egyptian Chargé d’Affaires who interviewed Syrian Prime Minister Monday. He adds that French have assured Syrian Government they will attempt nothing in Syria and will make any reasonable concessions to Syrian demands.
President, Premier and Foreign Minister seem thus to take less outraged and uncompromising attitude than Syrian Parliament and public. They realize that their compatriots unlike the Lebanese, can easily get out of hand with ensuing bloodshed and unpredictable results. They wish to avoid this at all costs, feeling they can handle French diplomatically, so long; as methods short of violence are used; believing that should violence occur French would be obliged to request British assistance. They want no clash with Ninth Army.
Syrian Parliament met 4 p.m. November 15 and whole session was devoted to Franco-Lebanese crisis. Government’s attitude was calm while Parliament stormed, with added excitement from visitors’ gallery. Mardam ended session with speech again urging calm and bespeaking confidence in Government.
Repeated London, Baghdad, Cairo, Algiers and Jidda.