BRITISH STATEMENT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 June 1941, Page 5

BRITISH STATEMENT

DENUNCIATION OF VICHY TREACHERY CLEAR WARNINGS IGNORED. ENDORSEMENT OF GUARANTEE TO SYRIANS. LONDON, June 8. The British Ambassador in Egypt, Sir Miles Lampson, issued a statement that if the people of Syria and Lebanon supported the Allies, Great Britain would offer them all the advantages at present enjoyed by the free countries.

Sir Miles Lampson explained that these advantages meant the lifting of the blockade, admission to the sterling block for export and import trade and the selling of their produce and the buying of goods in all free countries. In associating itself with the guarantee of liberty and independence to Syria and Lebanon, the United Kingdom Government has drawn attention to the statement issued last July that France would not allow her empire’ territory to be used as bases by the enemy. In spite of subsequent clear warnings, the Vichy Government pursued a policy of collaboration with the Axis Powers by placing bases in Syria and Lebanon in the hands of the Germans. German infiltration had already begun and the Vichy Government had continued to take measures to bring Syria and Lebanon under full German control.

His Majesty’s Government could not be expected to tolerate this action, which went further than anything laid down in the armistice terms. Reference has also been made to the declaration by Marshal Petain that “honour forbade ' France to undertake any actions against her former ally.” According’ to a 8.8. C. observer at the Syrian frontier, the British authorities were well aware of the extent of i German control of Syria, which had reached such proportions as to make ' it a dangerous German base. I