Ferment in Syria

Southland Times, Issue 24232, 16 September 1940, Page 4

Ferment in Syria

THE ARRIVAL of ..the Italian Armistice Commission in Syria appears to have created an interesting situation. According to reports printed this morning, resentment is “running high,” and “an explosion may come at any moment.” From

the Axis point of view, the commission’s arrival was ill-timed. The first period of utter demoralization had ended, and it was believed that many of the French officers were bitterly opposed to a tame surrender. With the passing of time two facts became obvious: the Vichy Government had failed to obtain favourable or even honourable armistice terms, and the defection of France was. not followed by the collapse of Britain. Indeed, the most powerful political influence in the world today comes from the stubborn resistance of the Royal Air Force. With every new failure of the Nazi bomber squadrons to smash Britain’s air defences there is further encouragement for a reviving patriotism in the French colonies. Moreover, Frenchmen in Syria have begun to realize that their own country is entering a period of famine, repression and internal unrest. They are now being asked to disarm their forces at the orders of Italians who come like conquerors, yet have no army or navy to back up their demands. The Italian fleet dare not venture through waters which are dominated by the Royal Navy. Italian divisions remain inactive in Libya and in Albania. To submit to the demands of leaders who have not defeated the French in the field, and who have no present means of enforcing their will, must seem a shameful thing to the officers of a colonial army. The French in Syria are not isolated from all influences except those which come from Vichy or- Rome. Across the border in Palestine are powerful British forces, wisely being held inactive until the French are nearer the mood for co-operation. And in Syria itself the large Arab population must already be restive. According to a statement by the Emir Abdullah of Trans-Jordan, the Arabs are displeased “because no foreign commission has the right to enter Arab mandated territory with the obect of maintaining authority.” The Arab world has shown no desire to accept Mussolini as the “protector of Islam,” and if British forces had to intervene they would probably receive more help than opposition from the Arabs of Syria. It will not be surprising, therefore, if Italy’s attempt to gain a foothold in the Levant brings small advantages to the Axis.