TREASON IN SYRIA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 June 1941, Page 5

TREASON IN SYRIA

OCCUPATION BY BRITAIN ADVOCATED DESCRIBED AS MILITARY NECESSITY. ( IN ORDER TO FORESTALL NAZIS. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON. June 3. Diplomats of all nationalities agree with the military necessity for Britain to attempt to occupy Syria, says the Ankara correspondent of the “New York Times.” The Germans are trying to stir up a war between Christians and Moslems, and the exiled Grand Mufti of Jerusalem has already gone to Syria and is attempting to spread anti-British venom. The Germans are preparing for a military occupation of Syria, with France’s consent. Hundreds of Nazi technicians and members of the air force have arrived, some bearing faked Bulgarian passports. They crossed through Turkey. VICHY DECISION DEFENCE OF COLONIES AGAINST BRITAIN. GENERAL DE GAULLE SAID TO BE IN PALESTINE. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, June 3. The Vichy Cabinet decided to defend Syria and Tunisia single-handed against any British attack, says the Vichy correspondent of the British United Press. It is understood that General Weygand has been put in charge of a broad programme for defence of the empire. In Berlin the official Reich spokesman said that France would receive full German co-operation if she took up arms to resist a British attack on Syria, and Germany would also relax the armistice terms to permit the use of the French fleet against Britain. An unconfirmed report from Beirut says that General de Gaulle, the Free French leader, has arrived in Palestine and is setting up his headquarters at Haifa, which is 25 miles south of the Syrian frontier and one of the Mediterranean terminals of the Iraq oil pipelines.

DENTZ DISCREDITED. A reliable informant who visited Syria says that the French Administration is powerless and discredited, and that local Frenchmen do not resist anybody marching in, no matter whether they are British, Free French, or German, the correspondent continues. Practically all Frenchmen, even former Anglophobes, are thoroughly disgusted with the conduct of the French High Commissioner, General Dentz. The “Daily Mail’s” Madrid correspondent states that General Dentz is reported to have telegraphed to Marshal Petain that the whole of Syria is seething with unrest as more German planes have arrived. French officers are threatening to follow Colonel Collet. who recently declared himself for General de Gaulle. General Dentz feared that he might be unable to maintain control if the Germans were allowed to continue the use of Syrian territory when and how they liked. The Associated Press correspondent at Ankara says travellers from Syria state that the Germans are putting up German signs in the French aerodromes. GERMANS POURING IN. A dozen freighters flying the swastika are reported to have been assigned to carry German troops and heavy military equipment from Rumanian ports to Syria. An observer counted two hundred German planes flying to Aleppo last week. The Associated Press report states that German motorised infantry which landed at Latakia, Syria, on May 29, exceeded 500 in number. They wore tropical helmets and high boots, similar to those of General Rommel’s Africa Corps. A semi-official statement in Berlin says: “The Wilhelmstrasse considers that a British attempt to occupy Syria would be an Anglo-French matter. Only actual practice will show how in such an event France will interpret the meaning of the present Franco-German relationship, but political circles in Berlin point out that Marshal Petain and Admiral Darlan have unequivocally declared that France will defend her empire wherever necessary. Germany is naturally. prepared to allow France this most sacred national right.”

PRECAUTIONS TAKEN ACCORDING TO LONDON AUTHORITIES. VICHY CLAIM RIDICULED. (Received This Day. 9.35 a.m.) LONDON, June 4. Well-informed authorities are of the opinion that it would be wrong to assume that we have not taken precautions in regard to Syria, as well as the French and Germans. General Weygand’s reported appointment, to take over single-handed the defence of the French Empire against all comers, is regarded with scepticism, as it is unlikely that such a defence will remain single-handed for long, any more than the Italian defence of Libya. It is impossible to obtain confirmation or denial of the report that German seaborne forces have gone to Syria. If such forces have been landed, is is unlikely that they are at present in any strength.

PROTEST BY OFFICIALS DENUNCIATION OF DARLAN’S POLICY. TRADITIONS OF LIBERTY FORSWORN. (Received This Day. 10.0 a.m.) ANKARA, June 4,. The French Embassy officials, who have informed the Vichy Government that they cannot continue to represent Admiral Darlan's policy, are MM. Jean Marc Boegner. Attache, and Jean Baelen. Counsellor, both of whom were recently appointed. They have issued a statement reading: "By claiming that France ought to incorporate herself in the Nazi new order. Admiral Darlan has forsworn all French traditions of liberty against the will of the. people'”