751.90D11/10–644: Telegram

The Appointed Minister to Syria and Lebanon ( Wadsworth ) to the Secretary of State

213. Legtel 200 September 22, 5 p.m. Spears has kindly shown me telegraphic text of Eden’s reply to Syrian Foreign Minister’s telegram of September 22 addressed also to you and to Molotov. Supplementary Foreign Office telegram indicates that British Embassy in Washington has been directed to communicate text to Murray. Following brief comments may be of interest.

First paragraph of Eden reply asserts that treaty seems “accessary [necessary?] and inevitable” to define future relations between Syria and France. I believe Syrian Government will contest this assertion by contending that, with assumption of duties of full sovereignty, Syria has obligated itself only to accord France and French nationals most-favored-nation treatment and that adequate assurance on this score can be given by unilateral declaration.

Second paragraph is to effect that only by such treaty can there be final formal realization of Syrian independence. This seems hardly consistent with reference in first paragraph to Syria having “become in every respect a fully independent state”.

Third paragraph, after stating that “by virtue of the mandate, legally speaking” the French authorities still possess “various rights and functions”, asserts that there are “various questions” which can only be settled by formal agreement with France. Spears tells me he has inquired by telegraph just what “various questions” Foreign Office has in mind, for he feels certain Syrian Government will press him for unequivocal detailed answer. Should Murray consider it advisable to make similar enquiry of British Embassy when Eden note is communicated to him I venture to suggest he enquire also as to just what “rights and functions” Foreign Office recognizes French as still possessing.

Most of fourth paragraph and in fact the note as a whole would seem to have been drafted primarily to reassure the French as to British bona fides. Spears tells me that Duff Cooper has been instructed to communicate full telegraphic text of [to?] Bidault66 and that after delivery of note to Syrian Government next week following return of Premier and Foreign Minister from Alexandria Conference copies will be communicated to Lebanese Government and Beynet.

Wadsworth
  1. Georges Bidault, Minister for Foreign Affairs in the Provisional Government of the French Republic.