890D.00/3–1347: Telegram
The Chargé in the United Kingdom ( Gallman ) to the Secretary of State
1604. Embassy today reiterated to Baxter, Foreign Office, Dept’s continuing concern over Greater Syria problem and outlined to him thoughts in Dept’s 1010, March 3.
2. Baxter said that he was not sure how effective a restatement of British neutrality would be in quieting rumors of the kind Dept has in mind. Up to present Foreign Office had considered that Near East was best place to do what it could to dispel rumors that British Govt is either for or against Greater Syria. He did not believe that Lebanese and Syrian Govts, who were most concerned, seriously doubted British neutrality. He reiterated that Syrian Govt would like British Govt to say that it does not favor Greater Syria. This British Govt is not prepared to do, being strictly neutral on question.
3. Baxter supposed that a Parliamentary question regarding Greater Syria could be arranged and said that Foreign Office “might consider this” although there was very little public interest in Greater Syria in UK.
4. Embassy pointed out that a statement from London in any form might be considered as more authoritative and carry more weight than statements issued by individual British Missions. Moreover, such [Page 745] a statement might be [employed?] usefully by British Missions whenever occasion required.
5. Baxter seemed very skeptical that any step by British could put down rumors but Embassy understood from talk with him that Dept’s concern over problem would cause Foreign Office to reconsider desirability of statement in some form from London.
Sent Dept 1604; repeated Cairo 30; Jerusalem 18; Jidda 6; Beirut 5; Damascus 4; Baghdad 5.