890E.00/261: Telegram
The Diplomatic Agent and Consul General at Beirut (Wadsworth) to the Secretary of State
[Received 4:09 p.m.]
330. Yesterday I called as arranged on President Khouri. President received me flanked by released Premier and Ministers, Vice Premier, who had come from Bishamun, and several leading Deputies. He made short evidently sincere address expressing his and his Government’s heartful thanks for American support. “Even when things looked blackest”, he said, “we never lost faith that democratic principles would prevail.” Your flag and representative were applauded by crowd filling street approaches.
At Raschaya detainees told me they had been submitted to “prison regime.” President had been given a sergeant’s room with no special amenities and Premier one with camp bed, table and chair. Other four (three Ministers and Deputy Karami) were held in one room furnished only with four camp beds and chairs.
It was only last Friday after full week solitary confinement that President, after secret nocturnal visit to Catroux, was permitted to talk with Premier and only next day, following latter’s similar nocturnal talk, that both were permitted to see other detainees. French troops guarded prison without, Lebanese gendarmes within.
News of developments was got to them secretly. In talks with Catroux, therefore, President and Premier refused all suggested compromise solutions. Only full restoration of status quo ante was acceptable.
They considered Chataigneau decree reported in my 329, November 23, 9 p.m. as satisfactory, on understanding that retention of non-abrogated article of Helleu’s decrees means simply that French Committee maintains its position that Chamber’s modification of constitution was illegal, while they continue to maintain the contrary.
After lunch President saw Catroux and later sent me message that Catroux had said Algiers Committee approved all his actions but still felt Ministry should not be reinstated and that President should exercise his constitutional authority to revoke their appointments. President answered he would have none of it as Ministry enjoyed full support of Parliament and people. Catroux commented he expected such reply but asked that President call off demonstrations. Latter answered they were spontaneous and harmless and would subside after restoration.
[Page 1047]Shortly thereafter Catroux wrote formally to President that Algiers Committee “considers that the return to power of the Prime Minister and Ministers in office on November 8, 1943 is not possible at present.” To this President and Ministry replied by action; they went together to Sérail (Government offices) where crowd of thousands gathered and Premier spoke briefly from balcony sayings Ministry had resumed office and calling for return to normal life today. Actually all shops opened at early hour and crowds are in holiday mood.
Message received this morning from Presidency says President has received formal note from Catroux saying he had received yesterday evening text of new decision by Algiers Committee adopting his views regarding “the immediate resumption of power by the Cabinet presided by Riad Solh.”
Thus, before expiration of extended time limit of British ultimatum, all its terms were met by French. And Catroux, accompanied by Acting Delegate General, have since called formally on President and Government now reinstated in office and reinstalled in Government offices.