RIGHTS OF SYRIANS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 June 1941, Page 5

RIGHTS OF SYRIANS

RECOGNISED BY FREE FRANCE TREATY TO BE NEGOTIATED. LATEST VICHY BROADCAST. LONDON, June 8. ■ The statement by General Catroux to the people of Syria, adds: “At the moment when the forces of Free France, united with those of the British Empire, are entering your territory, 1 declare th£t I assume full power and responsibility in the name of Free France, which is identified with the real France, and in the name of its true leader, General de Gaulle. In this capacity 1 have come to put an end to the mandatory regime and to deciare that you will become free and independent.” The statement concludes by announcing the right of the people to elect their own Government and that sovereign status will be guaranteed by a treaty to be negotiated as soon as possible. “As Free French and British forces cross your frontier it is not to take away your liberty, but to drive out the Germans. We cannot allow our age-long enemies to submerge you step by step. We cannot allow you to become subjects of the most brutal masters the world has known.” A Vichy broadcast referring to the developments, has again denied the presence of German troops in Syria and claims that the only German planes there are three or four which were damaged beyond repair. The broadcast added that the Vichy Government would defend the empire to its limits, and that Marshal Petain and Admiral Darlan were meeting this morning to consider the situation.