890E.00/255: Telegram
The Diplomatic Agent and Consul General at Beirut (Wadsworth) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 23—3:50 p.m.]
327. Lebanese situation has, of course, radically changed since despatch yesterday of my 326, November 21, 11 a.m.47
At noon I saw Catroux who spoke frankly of British ultimatum and of what his actions would be were it to be enforced by declaration scheduled for this morning of British martial law; but he was most reserved when I asked what line French action might be expected to take were Algiers to yield to ultimatum. The whole affair reminded him of Fashoda.48
He did not believe de Gaulle would yield but he still hopes some sort of compromise could be worked out at Algiers or London which would give him more time to work out local solution. Failing this he would, on British military taking over country, have to withdraw all French troops and all French civilians in official or public services placed under British control; for them to remain would be “too humiliating”.
He insisted (and by implication Algiers Committee) had not known in advance of “Helleu’s ill-considered action”; had he himself been in charge he would have simply issued decree declaring Chamber’s action [Page 1041] in amending constitution to be “illegal, null and void” and would then have negotiated for solution of problem.
Suspension of constitution he added, was “prime stupidity”; this required ratification as did unnecessary detention of President and Ministers; he had already decided to release latter before receiving British ultimatum; in fact he had had President brought to see him last Thursday and Premier last Friday.
I stressed that our overriding interest in matter was united war effort and that restoration of duly elected Parliament and officials appeared to be only effective way of maintaining confidence of Lebanon, Middle East and our smaller Allies in our bona fides.
Later in day Syrian Foreign Minister called to assure me only restoration of status quo ante would satisfy Syrian Government, Parliament and people. If this be not done, he said, there will be more and far more serious trouble in Syria. As to future negotiations he said that Algiers’ “liberal” offer to ratify 1936 treaties, even with modifications and transfer of common interests, was unacceptable; Government in either [neither?] Levant state would hold Parliamentary confidence were it to propose solution on basis of such treaties or of continuance of exercise of mandatory authority by Algiers Committee.
Other callers representative of local thought whom I had asked to talk with George Allen49 (here for 1-day visit en route Cairo) supported this view and it was confirmed by formal note from Abi Shahla “government”. Latter communicated and stressed seriousness of considered vote of Parliament that country “is on verge of revolution” and that only solution for this dangerous crisis is “return to constitutional life of November 10”.
Late in afternoon General Holmes called to discuss situation and renew his expression of serious concern at interference with war effort which would be entailed were Ninth Army to have to declare martial law and assume responsibility for Government and internal security of country.…
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shortly before 8 p.m. first word of Algiers yielding was flashed in Arabic broadcasts from Palestine and London. Its lack of detail mattered not; in 10 minutes perhaps half Beirut was in streets cheering “Long live Sheikh Beshara,50 down with Edde, three cheers for constitution, independence Riad Solh”.51
But as evening passed and wiser heads heard broadcast details (that while President and Ministers were to be released, only former was to [Page 1042] be reinstated) ardor dampened and rump decisions were taken that general strike and protest would be maintained pending full restoration of status quos ante.
Shortly before first broadcast Spears received telegram from London saying ultimatum time limit had been extended 48 hours. He had replied by vigorous protest, warning again that local situation was highly explosive.
At 10 p.m. Spears saw Catroux who, according to British Legation, said Algiers communiqués had been issued without his knowledge; he expected to release detainees, probably next day; President would be reinstated, decision as to others had not been taken; Helleu’s decrees of November 10 (see section 3, my 311, November 11, 8 p.m.52) would be rescinded so soon as Helleu left country; detailed instructions were still awaited.
Crowds gathered again early this morning. President and Ministers had not returned to their homes; there were angry mutterings. Deputies who had assembled at Premier’s home were carried to Parliament by crowd of several thousand; French troops stood aside; Lebanese gendarmerie made them welcome; they took one provisional decision, that should their cause be won this date would henceforth be celebrated as Lebanon’s Independence Day.
Day before Abi Shahla Government had ruled provisionally that Lebanese flag (perpendicularly striped French with green cedar on white band) should henceforth be horizontal broad white striped bearing cedar between half red stripes. Crowd leaders lowered old flag on Government Building and municipality and raised new flag thereon and over Parliament and Presidency.
Executive committees of Lebanese National Congress and Women’s Federation met and took decisions that Algiers’ decisions did not meet national aspirations. Delegations called on Legation; scene resembled that of November 12 (see section 1 my 313, November 13, 11 p.m.53) but no French troops arrived to mar their orderly protests. I am told that as of preceding evening Catroux’s directive was that orderly demonstration[s] were not to be molested.
Word circulated that President and Ministers would be brought from Rashaya prison about 12 p.m. Hour was exact; more thousands cheered arrival at President’s house. Shortly thereafter a Minister announced Catroux would call, that Arab hospitality prescribed “the guest is always welcome”, that if crowd could not cheer him it should remain silent. It did.
Hour later amid cheers of crowd Premier showed Catroux to his car. Deputies foregathered to be informed that Catroux had said [Page 1043] in substance: “I sincerely regret this incident. Helleu was personally responsible; he is leaving for Algiers tomorrow morning. Thereupon decree will be published rescinding those he issued; status quo ante will thus be reestablished.”
Ensuing discussion led to decision that official restoration will take place Wednesday morning; tomorrow Ministers will arrange unofficially for its celebration by all the nation. Meanwhile general strike will continue, to be ended Wednesday by Presidential manifesto calling for resumption of normal life.
All this was told me by special messenger sent by President with assurance of his and Government’s highest appreciation of American support and aid. He returned with my warmest personal congratulations to President and Government. I added I felt certain I spoke as well for my Government. I asked if I might call in person; half hour later appointment for tomorrow morning was made.
I should be grateful if Department would send me urgently some special message to deliver on Wednesday morning.
- Not printed.↩
- Crisis in relations between France and Great Britain in 1898 when the French established a military post at Fashoda on the Nile River in territory claimed by Great Britain for Egypt.↩
- Assistant Chief, Division of Near Eastern Affairs.↩
- Beshara el-Khouri, President of the Republic of Lebanon.↩
- Riad es-Solh, Lebanese Prime Minister.↩
- Section 3 begins with paragraph reading “Abi Chahla made to us …”, p. 1014.↩
- Not printed.↩