The British Prime Minister (Churchill) to President Truman 68
59. You will no doubt have had reports confirming our news of the situation in the Levant States especially in Damascus. Here the French have been shelling the town and causing serious loss of life and destruction of property. The position has deteriorated seriously in the last 24 hours. Continuance of the present situation both in [Page 1117] Damascus and elsewhere in Syria will, I am convinced, cause the most grave trouble throughout the Middle East and upon our joint lines of communication via Egypt and [Suez] Canal with the Far East.
We should therefore be prepared to order Commander-in-Chief of Middle East to intervene with British troops in order to stop fighting. Before doing so I feel I ought to know that we should have your approval and support. In this case will you telegraph at once that you are in agreement. Any representations that you may decide to make in Paris will of course be of the utmost value. We will on hearing from you in this sense send the following telegram to General de Gaulle.
Begins.69 In view of the grave situation which has arisen between your troops and the Levant States and severe fighting which has broken out we have ordered the Commander-in-Chief Middle East to intervene to prevent further effusion of blood in the interests of security of the whole of the Middle East which involve communications for the war against Japan. In order to avoid collision between British and French forces we request you immediately to order French troops to withdraw to their barracks and to cease fire thereafter except in self-defence.
We have communicated with United States Government and have received their approval to our taking these steps which are a cause of deep sorrow to us especially because of hopes of a treaty between France and the Levant States upon satisfactory conclusion of which as I told you a month ago we should be ready to withdraw our troops from Syria and Lebanon.70 Once firing has ceased and order has been restored we shall gladly begin Tripartite discussions in London. Ends.
I most earnestly hope to hear from you at the earliest moment.