The Syria–Lebanon Campaign (1941)

61

U.S. Department of State (June 28, 1941)

740.0011 European War 1939/12593: Telegram

The Ambassador in France to the Secretary of State

Vichy, June 27, 1941 — 1 p.m.
[Received June 28 — 10:02 a.m.]

756.

I called this morning on Marshal Pétain to obtain his impressions of the new situation which has developed from the Russo-German conflict. He received me alone. Before I touched on the subject of my visit he himself started to talk of Syria. He said that French resistance had been remarkable there considering the fact that they were outnumbered 3 to 1 and had continued holding for 3 weeks. He showed me on the map where the present lines run: he indicated that a British column is pressing east from Damascus and that the French forces in the center of Lebanon between the two mountain ranges north of Marjayoun are withdrawing northward.

Defense on the coast is greatly hampered by British naval forces; Palmyra, he indicated, is but lightly held and the strong British columns there with a substantial number of tanks could not long be held up. He seems to feel that the French may be able to hold on some time longer in the northern area of the two mountain ranges of the Lebanon and possibly later withdraw to Aleppo. The principal difficulty for the French, he said, is their inability to obtain necessary supplies and reinforcements. He has therefore, he said, sent a letter to President Inönü of Turkey asking that the French be permitted to use the port of Alexandretta to send reinforcements and supplies overland to the south. He indicated that by utilization of the Turkish coastal waters this aid for the French forces in Syria could arrive at that port by sea. He said that he had not yet received President Inönü’s reply. The Marshal insisted that he has still refused to accept any German aid and that there are no Germans in Syria. He mentioned the tragedy of Frenchmen fighting Frenchmen in that area and said he wonders what was the reaction of the De Gaullist forces in view of their “promise not to attack Frenchmen” when they found themselves “not facing Germans as they had been led to believe by their own compatriots.”

I brought up the suggestion of the Apostolic Delegate at Beirut that that city be neutralized to prevent useless loss of civilian lives and property. He said that he had not heard of the suggestion and rather lightly dismissed it as impracticable. He did not seem to have any definite impression whether Beirut can or will be defended much longer.

He then spoke of the fact that in recent days the British had engaged in heavy bombing of towns in northern France and read a list of figures of women and children who had been killed therein. They total about 100 killed and 300 wounded and he said that no Germans had been injured and that in the villages bombed in the Pas-de-Calais and Nord there are few Germans left. This is having, he said, “a bad effect” and asked me to mention it to my Government.

LEAHY

740.0011 European War 1939/12595: Telegram

The Ambassador in France to the Secretary of State

Vichy, June 27, 1941 — 5 p.m.
[Received June 28 — 9:54 a.m.]

758.

Rochat said this afternoon that he had telegraphed General Dentz concerning the suggestion of the Apostolic Delegate (of which the French Government had not learned from other sources) but that no reply has yet been received. He indicated that it was for this reason that Marshal Pétain had not been informed of the suggestion prior to this morning’s interview.

Rochat said there is “no real news” from Syria today. In reply to our question as to the accuracy of the reports of several trains of French troops and supplies already waiting in Bulgaria for authorization to pass through Turkey he said: “We are naturally trying to send reinforcements by every means that may be available. I cannot say that those troops are not in Bulgaria. It is quite possible”.

Repeated to Algeria and Beirut.

LEAHY

740.0011 European War 1939/12596: Telegram

The Ambassador in France to the Secretary of State

Vichy, June 28, 1941 — 10 a.m.
[Received 10:28 a.m.]

762.

Rochat informed us this morning that he had been instructed to say that the French Government is “somewhat surprised at the démarche made by the American Government” for the neutralization of Beirut; that France has made it quite clear she is determined to defend her territory and that it is “only the assailants who could avoid destruction of lives and property in Beirut by refraining from attacking it.”

Rochat also said that still no word of Apostolic Delegate’s suggestion has been received from the Vatican. In fact, he added, the Nuncio had called on him yesterday on a matter of very secondary importance and had made no mention of Syria.

Repeated to Algiers and Beirut.

LEAHY

2 Likes
62

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (June 30, 1941)

VICHY FORCE HOLDS CORE OF LEBANON
…
Strong lines drawn up in mountains north of Damascus
…
Damascus, Syria, June 29 (AP) –
The Syrian campaign entered its fourth week today with the British and their Free French allies installed in this Syrian capital and in control of about 30% of the country, but with the Vichy French defenders holding firm behind the mountain barriers of Lebanon.

North of Damascus, the Free French are proceeding toward Homs with little opposition. To the west, however, the Vichy French hold the Anti-Lebanon Mountains, and it is evident that an energetic attack supported with artillery will be required to dislodge them.

The situation is similar at the Damour defenses on the coastal road nine miles south of Beirut, Lebanon, and in the rugged terrain of the central sector between the Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon mountain range.

The plan of the Vichy French chief, General Henri Dentz, appears to be to attempt to hold onto this core of Lebanon from Beirut to Tripoli, which runs inland to the Anti-Lebanon with its excellent natural defenses, but to let the rest of the French protectorate fall to the British and Free French with resistance limited to delaying actions.

2 Likes
63

FIERCE AIR BATTLE

Cairo, June 29 (AP) –
A fierce desert air battle, in which American-built British bombers vanquished American-built Vichy bombers over hot central Syria, and new heavy bombing of North African bases were announced today by British headquarters.

In the air fight over Palmyra, Syria, a squadron of American Curtiss Tomahawks in the Australian Air Force was credited with shooting down in flames six French Glenn Martin bombers.

The Italian-German bases at Benghazi and Tripoli were reported “heavily bombed,” with many hits on the breakwaters. All British planes were said to have come away unscathed from the Syrian and North African engagements.

2 Likes
64

OFFER TO TURKS HEARD

Istanbul, June 29 (AP) –
Reports were current in diplomatic circles here today that Jacques Benoist-Méchin, vice president of the Vichy cabinet, was proposing on behalf of his government that Turkey move into northern Syria.

Benoist-Méchin was said to have suggested that Turkey take the rich triangle including Latakia, Aleppo and Tripoli before the British overrun it.

2 Likes
65

MAY SEEK TURKISH AID

Vichy, June 29 (AP) –
Indications were growing in Vichy today that Turkey might be asked for aid in some form in the French defense of Syria against French attack.

2 Likes
66

DENTZ’S RESIDENCE BOMBED, REPORT

Vichy, France, June 29 (AP) –
British bombers were reported by the French today to have attacked the Beirut residence of General Henri Dentz, commander-in-chief of French forces in the Levant, and killed and wounded many among the personnel. The building was described as almost entirely wrecked.

2 Likes
67

U.S. Department of State (June 30, 1941)

740.0011 European War 1939/12619: Telegram

The Consul General at Beirut to the Secretary of State

Beirut, June 29, 1941 — 7 p.m.
[Received June 30 — 9:20 a.m.]

255.

Apostolic Delegate told me this afternoon that he telegraphed to the Vatican on June 20, in the sense reported by me, and that he added I would telegraph Washington on the subject. Could we perhaps inquire in Rome?

Repeated to Vichy.

ENGERT

2 Likes
68

740.00119 European War 1939/742: Telegram

The Ambassador in France to the Secretary of State

Vichy, June 30, 1941 — 7 p.m.
[Received 11:25 p.m.]

776.

We have just been given the following communication by the Foreign Office:

The British, through the intermediary of the American Consul General at Beirut, have made proposals for the cessation of hostilities to General Dentz:

In reply the French Government transmits to the Embassy of the United States in France the following text:

The French Government is disposed to authorize General Dentz to enter into contact with General Sir Henry Maitland Wilson to examine conditions for the cessation of military operations.

It considers that it is itself all the more justified in giving authority to this end to General Dentz since it has never ceased to consider that the opening of operations was founded on no real motive and that the British therefore bore the entire responsibility.

It is obvious that the proposed negotiations imply the recognition by the British Government of the maintenance of all the rights and prerogatives that the mandate guarantees to France over the whole of the territory of Syria and the Lebanon.

The principle of the agreement should be the fixing of a line of demarcation determined in the light of the present position of the armed forces, line to the south of which the British command would have the powers which are recognized by international law to an occupying force.

It is under these conditions that the French Government is disposed to envisage the immediate cessation of hostilities on land, in the air and at sea (Eastern Mediterranean including the Aegean Sea).

If the provisions to be agreed upon do not correspond to its desire to respect its obligations towards local populations and does not conform to the sentiment of dignity which motivates under all circumstances its line of conduct, the French Government remains determined to continue to assure by all means in its power the safeguarding of the territories of the Levant.

Repeated to London, Beirut and Algiers.

LEAHY

2 Likes
69

The Pittsburgh Press (July 1, 1941)

BRITISH POUND BEIRUT, SPUR ATTACKS IN SYRIA

Beirut, July 1 (UP) –
British bombers, intensifying attacks on the Syrian front, blasted Beirut for six hours last night, damaging two mosques and five houses in the center of the city, killing eight persons and wounding six, an official communiqué said today.

Reports from the interior said the Vichy garrison at Palmyra had repulsed Allied attacks with heavy losses.

Authorities denied charges by Radio Jerusalem that British prisoners were being mistreated.

U.S. Department of State (July 1, 1941)

740.0011 European War 1939/12683: Telegram

The Ambassador in the United Kingdom to the Secretary of State

London, July 1, 1941 — 7 p.m.
[Received July 1 — 12:20 p.m.]

2765.

Department’s 2276, June 24, 8 p.m., was communicated informally to the Foreign Office with the comments suggested and a letter has been received from Sir Alexander Cadogan which concludes with the following paragraph:

I am sure that our military authorities in the Middle East are already taking all possible steps compatible with the pursuit of military operations to minimize civilian sufferings, but the offer of the United States Government is being brought to their attention.

WINANT

2 Likes
70

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (July 2, 1941)

BRITISH, FRENCH CLASH

Jerusalem, July 2 (AP) –
In a desert battle northeast of Palmyra in Syria, British and Free French mechanized cavalry and an Arab legion desert patrol broke up a French mobile column today, capturing four officers and 60 men, a British military spokesman stated.

U.S. Department of State (July 2, 1941)

740.00119 European War 1939/749: Telegram

The Ambassador in France to the Secretary of State

Vichy, [July 1, 1941 — 8 p.m.]
[Received July 2 — 10:01 a.m.]

791.

We asked Rochat for further background with respect to the British offer for the cessation of hostilities transmitted through our Consul General at Beirut. He replied that unfortunately there is very little he can tell us and that he himself is somewhat mystified. He gave us the text of a memorandum which he stated had been left with the Director of Political Affairs at Beirut at 1 p.m. on June 21 by the American Consul General at Beirut. The memorandum had not been telegraphed to Vichy by General Dentz but has been forwarded by courier. Memorandum reads as follows in translation:

Far from wishing to impose dishonoring conditions on General Dentz, His Majesty’s Government is quite willing to grant him all the honors of war as well as to the officers and civil servants who have only done what they considered their duty towards their Government.

Consequently, there can be no question of condemning General Dentz or any officer or civil servant to death or to another sentence.

The High Commissioner, his general staff, all French officers and civil servants who do not desire to remain in the Levant will be repatriated as soon as convenient circumstances permit.

Negotiations with a view to the cessation of hostilities will be conducted by General Sir Henry Maitland Wilson in his capacity as representative of the Commander-in-Chief of the British forces and by the representative of General Dentz. Hostilities will cease at once and military honors will be granted to the military forces.

The memorandum seemed rather vague and general and offered little indication of the nature of conditions for ceasing hostilities.

Repeated to London, Beirut and Algiers.

LEAHY

740.0011 European War 1939/12724: Telegram

The Consul General at Beirut to the Secretary of State

Beirut, July 1, 1941 — noon.
[Received July 2 — 10:06 a.m.]

259.

Last night’s raids were even more intensive than those reported in my 257 of yesterday. No damage whatever was done to any military objectives although several may have been aimed at. The Municipality or City Hall was badly damaged and is being permitted by the American University to occupy one of the latter’s buildings. A native hotel, a flour mill and two small mosques were hit. Several bombs narrowly missed the Saint George and Normandy, two leading Beirut hotels. At least 8 civilians were killed including a woman and her 4 children.

The head of the Lebanese Government accompanied by the Mohammedan member of his Cabinet came to see me this morning to ask if I could not bring to the attention of the British Government the fact that the raids of the last two nights had caused great consternation among the inhabitants, both Christian and Muslims, who had counted on England’s good nature and had hoped bombing of thickly populated areas in the center of Beirut would be avoided.

I have also received an official written protest from the High Commissioner who states that the French Air Force has refrained from bombing Jerusalem and Damascus although British troops and headquarters are there.

Please see second paragraph of my telegram June 30, which contains my considered opinion on the subject.

ENGERT

2 Likes
71

U.S. Department of State (July 3, 1941)

740.0011 European War 1939/12756: Telegram

The Consul General at Beirut to the Secretary of State

Beirut, July 3, 1941 — 9 a.m.
[Received 11:28 a.m.]

265.

Head of the Lebanese Government have sent me signed note giving full details re damage caused in Beirut by raids during nights June 29–30 and June 30 to July 1. He concludes with the statement that only objectives devoid of all military character were hit which has caused considerable emotion among the civilian inhabitants. Lebanese Government protests energetically and requests me to intervene so as to put an end to useless destruction of property and innocent lives.

ENGERT

3 Likes
72

740.0011 European War 1939/12997b: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Italy

Washington, July 3, 1941 — 5 p.m.

472.

For Tittmann. Apostolic Delegate at Beirut informed Engert on June 20 that at the request of the Lebanese (local Arab) Government, the Delegate intended to telegraph the Vatican proposing that Beirut and its environs be declared a neutral area by the belligerents. The Delegate inquired whether Engert would telegraph the American Government in the same sense.

The Department informed the Embassy at Vichy of the above, and requested the Embassy to bring the suggestion to the attention of the French Government, stating that the American Government would of course be pleased to lend its facilities for effecting any arrangement which might serve to prevent the destruction of lives and property in Beirut.

Embassy at Vichy reported June 28 that the French Government had not received from the Vatican any word of Apostolic Delegate’s suggestion.

You are authorized, in your discretion, to ascertain informally whether the Vatican intends to act on the Delegate’s suggestion. It should be emphasized that the American Government does not desire to take the initiative in the arrangements for declaring Beirut an open city, and is merely lending its facilities when they may be appropriate or helpful.

WELLES

2 Likes
73

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (July 4, 1941)

PALMYRA WON BY BRITISH IN TANK ASSAULT
…
Fall of French citadel in heart of Syria is admitted by Vichy
…
Vichy, France, July 3 (AP) –
Palmyra, the Vichy citadel in the heart of Syria, fell today to a British tank-led assault after 13 days of staunch resistance.

The British entered the city at 1 a.m. after an artillery pounding, the French acknowledged officially.

Palmyra lies 250 miles inside Syria from the point where the Euphrates enters Iraq, and presumably, it was taken by forces moving across the desert from that country.

Other operations reported

The same communiqué which announced the fall of Palmyra reported that another motorized British column, coming along the right bank of the Euphrates, had met Vichy troops southeast of Deir-ez-Zor and that still a third motorized column from Iraq had crossed the Syrian border today at Tell Kotchek and was trying to advance along the rail line from Mosul, toward the Turkish frontier.

On the coast 12 miles south of Beirut, the Vichy positions around Damour were shelled by the British fleet, and a French submarine was sunk somewhere in that general area. Beirut itself was bombed again.

The Vichy government protested today through Madrid to the British government against what it called the “savage British bombing” of Beirut. Vichy also informed Washington of the contents of the note.

U.S. Department of State (July 4, 1941)

740.0011 European War 1939/12797: Telegram

The Consul General at Jerusalem to the Secretary of State

Jerusalem, June 30, 1941 — noon.
[Received July 4 — 3:35 p.m.]

211.

Lieutenant General Lavarack, commander of Australian forces in Syria has requested that the following message which General Lavarack’s staff officer states has the approval of General Wilson be sent confidentially to General Dentz through appropriate channels.

The Commander of the Australian forces in Syria, General Lavarack, feeling that to both Frenchmen and Australians, the idea of comrades of the last war fighting against one another is repellent and distasteful and a useless waste of good men, suggests that he send an envoy by air to Riyaq or to some other mutually convenient airport at an early date to meet the representative of General Dentz and to deliver to him a message from General Lavarack which may lead to a solution of the unpleasant conditions which today exist and thus avoid unnecessary bloodshed.

For the Department’s confidential information and not for transmission to Beirut at present the message which Lavarack’s envoy will deliver if Dentz receptive to the proposal is as follows:

As the commander of the Australian forces facing you in Syria, I would like to inform you in all sincerity that the idea of Australians fighting against Frenchmen is abhorrent to me, tad to my men, just as I believe it is surely hateful to you and your soldiers to be fighting against us.

During the war of 1914–1918, we fought together in Gallipoli and France, on the sea and in the air. We came to respect one another through a stern yet wonderful comradeship in arms against the common enemy.

The people of France took our men into their homes and cared for them and in many places, in particular at Villers-Bretonneux, erected fine monuments to the memory of the Australians who had fallen in the defense of their beloved France. Our children in Australia have for over 20 years saved their pennies and sponsored certain schools of your children in France.

We have no quarrel with you, but it is our task and our one object to see that Syria is not occupied nor used as an operational base by Germany.

This task we have been given and we will complete to the best of our ability. Nothing else do we want in or of Syria.

With you, I take the liberty of stating, it is a question of honor both as Frenchmen and soldiers. You will defend Syria against us and in the battle many good men of France and Australia will be killed — but in the end — and I say it without boasting — we will, by the strength of our men, our guns and our airplanes, occupy Syria.

It has come to my knowledge that several Australian officers when captured by your forces have been treated with; kindness and with courtesy, and your officers have been amazed that Australians are fighting against Frenchmen — comrades of the last war and in many reunions since.

I can assure you, General, from the bottom of my heart that this is not my wish and I suggest therefore that a solution can be found which does honor to both sides and which will avoid the bloodshed that must of necessity occur if this battle continues.

I have sent my envoy to you so that he can convey this message to you in person, and I would ask that if the proposal coincides with your feelings, arrangements could be made for you and me to meet at some suitable place and time where we may, as soldiers, find a happy solution to this problem.

I feel that you and I carry a big responsibility on our shoulders and can surely find a plan which will avoid so much unnecessary bloodshed.

PINKERTON

3 Likes
74

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (July 5, 1941)

NATIVES FLEE FROM BEIRUT INTO COUNTRY
…
Seek safety of hills as British add to power of air raids
…
Beirut, July 4 (AP) –
Native civilians fled to the safety of the hills around this Lebanese capital tonight as the British stepped up the force of their aerial bombardments of Beirut.

Three times between 10:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. today, the city was raided. Many fires were started, six buildings were destroyed, and at least half a dozen civilians were wounded.

Last night, the RAF carried out the heaviest raid yet. One of the buildings destroyed was the French Lebanon Chamber of Commerce.

See attack on Homs

With the British capture of Palmyra, in the heart of Syria, the French expressed fear of a double attack on the important city of Homs from the south and east. Homs lies between Palmyra and the sea and is on the main north-south railway.

Today, however, the heaviest action was in the Deir-ez-Zor sector on the Euphrates, the French acknowledging that a British column had completed the encirclement of the garrison.

British Middle Eastern headquarters at Cairo said an Indian column from Iraq had occupied Deir-ez-Zor, which is on the line of advance across northern Syria toward Aleppo.

U.S. Department of State (July 5, 1941)

740.00119 European War 1939/752: Telegram

The Ambassador in France to the Secretary of State

Vichy, July 5, 1941 — 1 p.m.
[Received 1:50 p.m.]

811.

Rochat has asked us whether we have any further news with respect to the suggested cessation of hostilities in Syria, particularly whether any further communication has been received from the British following their receipt of the French reply.

Repeated to Department, Beirut, London, and Algiers.

LEAHY

3 Likes
75

The Pittsburgh Press (July 6, 1941)

FRENCH MOVE FOR ARMISTICE IN SYRIA SEEN
…
London says morale of Vichy forces in nearing collapse
…
Ankara, Turkey, July 5 (UP) –
British diplomatic circles here believed tonight that France might seek an armistice in Syria with United States diplomatic officials acting as mediators.

Belief that an armistice might be imminent was strengthened by neutral reports that the discipline of French troops was breaking down.

These reports said Senegalese and Ammanese troops in Beirut were completely out of hand, refusing to obey orders and rioting and plundering. Foraging soldiers, it was said, had clashed with the police in Beirut.

French sources here, however, insisted that resistance would continmue in Syria, “to the last man.”

3 Likes
76

VICHY, LONDON TALK OF SYRIAN ARMISTICE

New York, July 5 (UP) –
Martin Agronsky, the NBC correspondent in Ankara, Turkey, said in a broadcast tonight that the Vichy government and Britain were engaged in “pre-armistice” exchanges.

Mr. Agronsky said the war in Syria is in its final and decisive stages and that unless the French can bring up heavy aerial and land reinforcements in the next two days and replenish already dangerously low munitions and fuel supplies, British military observers believe the French will have to ask an armistice.

The NBC correspondent said it was understood “a certain great neutral power” was acting as “go-between” in exchanges between Britain and France.

3 Likes
77

TURKS WON’T INTERFERE IN CONFLICT IN SYRIA
By Paul Ghali

Vichy, July 5 –
Turkish troops will not interfere in the Syrian conflict and whatever happens in Syria, French-Turkish relations will retain that basis of mutual understanding established under the agreement of 1939 signed by Georges Bonnet (then Foreign Minister of France) and Turkish Foreign Minister Şükrü Saracoğlu.

That, according to official circles here, is the principal result of the Vichy mission to Ankara headed by Jacques Benoist-Méchin. M. Benoist-Méchin returned here yesterday after spending a week in the Turkish capital.

Under the terms of the 1939 treaty, which embodied a pact of mutual assistance, France agreed to the return to Turkey of the Sanjak of Alexandretta.

Many here had believed that the principal purpose of the mission to Ankara was to obtain from the Turks at least indirect assistance in France’s dire situation in Syria. But official circles deny this and appear to be entirely satisfied with the present Turkish assurances obtained by the mission of the unchanged atmosphere of mutual understanding.

3 Likes
78

BRITISH HOLD SYRIAN DESERT
By Ralph Heinzen, United Press staff writer

Vichy, July 5 –
France admitted tonight that British forces controlled all of the Syrian desert guarding the western approaches to Iraq and the Mosul oil fields.

A War Office spokesman said an Anglo-Indian motorized column had captured the Euphrates stronghold of Deir-ez-Zor after a siege of days, pushed on through the Euphrates Valley and were approaching Raqqa.

Deir-ez-Zor is 80 miles northwest of Abu Kamal at the edge of the Mesopotamian desert. With Palmyra and its airfields, also in British hands, the stronghold commanded vital approaches to Britain’s Near Eastern oil supplies.

The French reported that two British raids on the Lebanese capital of Beirut last night left the city in flames. One direct hit, it was said, was scored on a gasoline station, the resulting fire spreading to the river district.

Three British planes were shot down in yesterday’s fighting, it was said, two of them by slower but more heavily armed French bombers. In the bombing of Beirut, the French said, considerable damage has been done to the city’s university quarter where more than a dozen faculties are grouped, comprising the University of St. Joseph, the largest in Asia Minor.

3 Likes
79

R.A.F. RAIDERS STRIKE IN NEAR EAST

Cairo, July 5 (UP) –
The Royal Air Force reported tonight that British planes have attacked shipping in Tripoli, Lebanon, and the French airdromes at Baalbek and Hama, Syria.

Hits were said to have been scored on ships, and planes were claimed to have been set afire in their hangers at the French flying bases. Shipping in Beirut was said to have been set afire in an attack Thursday night and Friday morning.

Another raid was carried out on shipping in the Axis Libyan base of Benghazi and upon anti-aircraft positions and an enemy tent camp near the town.

The landing ground at Gadd el-Ahmar was also attacked.

3 Likes
80

U.S. Department of State (July 7, 1941)

740.00119 European War 1939/757: Telegram

The Ambassador in France to the Secretary of State

Vichy, July 7, 1941 — 1 p.m.
[Received 1:01 p.m.]

816.

Our Naval Attaché has been informed by reliable naval sources that negotiations began yesterday in Beirut on French initiative for an armistice; that the only important condition the French are asking is that those of their military forces who desire to return to France or North Africa be permitted to do so.

We endeavored to obtain confirmation of this report this morning from Rochat. He replied, we have no reason to doubt his sincerity, that he has absolutely no knowledge of any such negotiations; that the last he had heard on the question was a telephone call from General Lacaille (Huntziger’s right-hand man) on Saturday afternoon as to whether any further word had been received from the British since the French “reply” to the British suggestion for the cessation of hostilities. He said that it was following this phone call that he had made inquiry of the Embassy. He remarked that Admiral Darlan had not informed him of any such negotiations, but admitted the possibility that they might nevertheless be in course without his (Rochat’s) knowledge.

Admiral Darlan is leaving for Paris this noon.

Repeated to Algiers.

LEAHY

740.0011 European War 1939/12827: Telegram

The Ambassador in Italy to the Secretary of State

Rome, July 6, 1941 — 3 p.m.
[Received July 7 — 4:05 p.m.]

950.

From Tittmann. The following facts were given this morning by the Cardinal Secretary of State regarding the Beirut matter.

The telegram from the Apostolic Delegate was dated June 26 but was not received at the Vatican until June 27. On June 28, the Cardinal instructed the Papal representatives in Vichy, London and Berlin, to approach those Governments with the suggestion that in order to ensure the preservation of monuments of Christian culture in that city Beirut be declared a neutral zone.

Berlin replied on July 3 to the effect that while Germany wished to stand aside from events in Syria in principle it was in favor of preventing the destruction of churches and other monuments of Christian culture.

Vichy replied on July 4 stating that it was “absolutely impossible” for the French to consider any such declaration since Beirut was too important center of French resistance. However the French Government was willing to take all necessary precautions to preserve churches and Christian monuments in accordance with the provisions of international conventions.

No reply from London has been received so far but Cardinal Maglione promised to let me know as soon as it arrives. [Tittmann]

PHILLIPS

740.00119 European War 1939/752: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France

Washington, July 7, 1941 — 7 p.m.

542.

Following is the text of an aide-mémoire handed to the Department today by the British Embassy:

On June 30, the State Department were good enough to communicate to the British Embassy a message received that day by the United States Ambassador in Vichy from the French Government setting forth the terms on which the French Government were prepared to authorize the French High Commissioner in Syria to negotiate an agreement for the cessation of hostilities.

It is understood that this message was simultaneously delivered to the Foreign Office by the United States Ambassador in London.

Full consideration has now been given to the French Government’s message, and the British Embassy has been instructed to request the United States Government to inform the French Government that the terms which they proposed for the cessation of hostilities in Syria do not offer a basis for discussion.

You are requested to communicate the foregoing to the French authorities.

WELLES

740.00119 European War 1939/758: Telegram

The Consul General at Beirut to the Secretary of State

Beirut, July 7, 1941 — noon.
[Received 9:44 p.m.]

278.

Your telegram No. 127, July 5, 7 p.m., only reached me this morning. Considering that the message is now a week old and the military situation changes from day to day I should like to have confirmation from the British Government that it still desires it to be delivered in this form. Please point out that in view of Vichy’s 776, June 30, I believe it desirable to give the French authorities no fresh excuse for a statement that the British are taking the initiative in all these peace overtures. If General Lavarack’s message is to be handed to General Dentz I venture to suggest that it be linked up in some way with the original French inquiry as transmitted in my 223, June 18, 11 a.m., and with the British Government’s reply contained in the Department’s 104, June 19, 7 p.m. I assume of course that Generals Wilson and Lavarack are also aware of the contents of my 237, June 22, and 245, June 25. Please state that I shall gladly put myself at their disposal for the transmission of any message they wish but in this instance I feared lest the French in their present mood gain the impression that this is an entirely new suggestion influenced perhaps by military operations with which because of its date it could naturally have had no connection.

ENGERT

3 Likes