751.90D11/10–1144: Telegram
The Appointed Minister to Syria and Lebanon (Wadsworth) to the Secretary of State
[Received 3:20 p.m.]
217. A telegram received by Spears yesterday from British Embassy in Washington mentioned that Embassy had been shown by Department text of provisional convention which French propose to endeavor to negotiate with Levant States.
If Department can properly communicate this draft to me by telegraph and perceives no objection, I should appreciate authorization to give copy to Spears. We feel it might go far towards clarifying our thinking on such questions as those suggested in my 213, October 6, 8 p.m. and others.
[Page 801]British Embassy telegram mentions also that in conversations with Murray importance was ascribed to consideration that, if present seemingly not unfavorable occasion for negotiation of treaty were to be lost, Russia might find opportunity in resulting void to extend its influence in these countries. On this point I ventured following comment:
Syrians feel that you, the British, let them down when you urged negotiation of treaty. That feeling will, I believe, be heightened rather than mollified by Mr. Eden’s reply to Foreign Minister’s protest. That protest, together with Syrian President’s letter to King George, was in nature of appeal in extremis to British Government. It was supplemented by appeals to American and Russian Governments. Now if America in reply to such appeal were to support British position in urging signature of treaty (Note: I had in mind Department’s 177, October 7, 7 [9] p.m.72), Syrians might not unreasonably be expected to turn the sooner to Russia.
Spears replied that he agreed fully, and our ensuing brief discussion carried the thought a step further. It seemed to us that even were our Governments to prevail on Russia to make common cause with them in urging on Syrian Government conclusion of treaty of special privilege with France, that Government would resist by all available means, even possibly in last report [resort?] by use of violence (see Syrian President’s statements reported in my despatch 432, July 572).