NO SIGN OF CALM

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 November 1943, Page 4

NO SIGN OF CALM

OBSERVED IN LEBANON DOUBT CAST ON FRENCH STATEMENTS. STRONG PROTEST BY INDIAN MOSLEMS. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day, 11.5 a.m.) LONDON, November 16. While a French spokesman in Cairo stated that no incidents had been reported in Lebanon today, Reuters A giers correspondent quotes informed British circles as saying that there is no sign of calm in Lebanon and that, despite French claims that order has been restored, reports of disturbances persist. There is no indication, the Reuter correspondent, of airy softening of the British attitude. The President of Iraq and other prominent persons have cabled Mr Wendell Willkie asking for the independence of Lebanon, “in the interests of democracy, the Allies and the aims of the United Nations.” The All-India Moslem League newspaper “Dawn,” commenting on the Lebanon question, says: “The outrageous conduct of the French intruders in Lebanon is an affront felt throughout the Islamic world and Moslems in India are shocked at it. It is for Britain co see that the scandal stops.”

The French Communist Party has accepted the seats of Production and Health on the French Committee of Liberation, but has regretted that its request for the Commissariat of Information was not granted. The party has proposed M. Lucien Imidol, former deputy for the Seine et Oise Department, for the Production seat and M. Etienne Fajon, former’ deputy for the seine, for the Health seat. OPINION IN LONDON URGENT MEASURES ESSENTIAL. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.52 a.m.) RUGBY, November 16. A Cairo Press message, announcing the arrival of General Catroux in Beirut, adds that it is officially stated that conditions in Lebanon are returning to normal. Shops are reopening and no disturbances occurred yesterday. '. x. , In London the political situation in Lebanon is regarded as remaining- critical and urgent measures on the part of General Catroux appear to be essential to resolve the crisis caused by the arrest of the Lebanese President and Ministers.