UNREST IN SYRIA

Evening Star, Issue 23681, 14 September 1940, Page 6 (Supplement)

UNREST IN SYRIA

SENTIMENT NOW FAVOURS DE GAULLE FEELING RUNNING HIGH AGAINST ITALIAN MISSION LONDON, September 13. (Received September 14, at 4.25 p.m.) The Associated Press correspondent says a tremendous change in Syrian sentiment in favour of General do Gaulle has occurred since the arrival of the Italian Armistice Commission. The French National Committee Spokesman in Cairo said: “ Resentment against Italian efforts to disarm Syria is running high. An explosion may come at any moment. For the last month Syria has been emphatically in favour of Vichy, but bitterness has been engendered by the conviction that Italy was the first to arrive for spoils. Italy had not defeated France, and never could.” He added that the British Fleet bars an Italian landing, but if Syria were disarmed air-borne troops might take control and make a thrust against the Mosel oilfields, cutting off Britain’s main Middle East oil supply. The members of the Italian Mission are reported to have been manhandled. A colonel’s nose was punched and legionaries jumped on another. Emir Abdullah, in a speech, said the Franco-German armistice was critical for Syria. The Italian Commission had displeased the Arabs because no foreign commission had the right to enter Arab mandated territory with the object of maintaining authority. Any administrative change must be to the Arabs’ advantage.

THE RED SEA BRITAIN IN COMPLETE COMMAND LONDON, September 13. (Received September 14, at 4.5 p.m.) The Simla correspondent of ‘ The Times ’ says the measure of the British command of the Red Sea is reflected in the official disclosure that since the outbreak of war 71 troopships aiid supply ships from Indian ports have used the Red Sea route to the Middle East without loss. Since the Italian occupation of Somaliland two large contingents have passed unmolested through the Red Sea. from British, Australian, and South African ports are continually using the route in both directions. COMPULSORY TRAINING CANADIANS TO BE GALLED UP OTTAWA, September 13. (Received September 14, at 4.10 p.m.) The proclamation authorising the calling up of the first draft of Canadians for military training has been signed. All single men of 21 years of age must report for medical examination. From the number 30,000 will be selected for training in the first camp, which opens on October 9. NEW JERSEY EXPLGSICN POSSIBILITY OF SABOTAGE KENVTLL, September 13. (Received September 14, at 4.15 pan.) The Navy and Army Intelligence staffs are co-operating in the police investigation as to the possibility of sabotage. About 30 people are still missing and are feared to be dead. The probable death roll is 100. Three hundred were injured, of whom 83 are in a serious condition. FRENCH INDO-CHINA MIXED BRIGADE REPULSED ON FRONTIER CHUNGKING, September 13. (Received September 14, at 4.20 p.m.) The Chinese report that the French repulsed a mixed artillery and infantry brigade which was crossing the IndoChinese frontier on September 7. While the French were repulsing the Japanese the Chinese attacked the Japanese from the rear.