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Coll 6/90 'Syria: Anglo-French relations in the Near East. French policy in Syria.' [‎44r] (87/169)

The record is made up of 1 file (83 folios). It was created in 23 Mar 1939-29 May 1947. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .

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(
(ft)
greater administrative division of the country 0 This policy
must he harmonised with the maintenance of the existence oj one
central power; hut its object will also he to safeguard the
interests of the inhabitants of all parts of the territory It
is not true? the article continues# that* as has been a-'-iegecy
it is a question of reducing and finally eliminating rhe Syrian
cadre s in favour of French cadres; on the contrary ? "ohe oeject
is to lighten as far as possible tne financial burden
ct; stituted by the present French ep.dre^ What France has
undertaken is a work of good faith? which is sincerely t inspire cl
by all the realities of the hour? and the aim of which is to
clarify a situation which has hitherto been all too dangerously
compromised by political passions- Syrian elements which were
still hostile would finally re Use that France was working for
the good of the country ; and that in present cir.amstances
Syria could not but benefit from the existence of a strong-
power determined to safeguard all legitimate interests^ A
logical and well-ordered system of Government would give the
Syrian people the best chance of real sing that political
maturity? thanks to which they would merit independence? and
to which, as recent experience has shown? they have not yet
attained*
7® I am sending a copy of this despatch to His Majesty's
I have etc*
(Signed) Eric Phipps.
Consul at Damascus

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Content

This file concerns Anglo-French relations in the near East, particularly relating to French policy in Syria.

Much of the correspondence relates to British efforts to obtain information from the French Government regarding the latter's future policy in Syria. The correspondence includes discussion of the following:

  • British concerns in 1939 regarding public support in Iraq for the Syrian Nationalist cause.
  • Differences between the French Mandate in Syria and the British Mandate in Palestine.
  • British misgivings regarding the French Government's decision not to proceed with the ratification of the treaty between France and Syria (the Franco-Syrian Treaty of Independence), which was concluded in 1936 and amended in 1938.
  • The reception given to King Faisal II of Iraq upon his visit to Damascus in July 1939.
  • Reactions in the Iraqi press to the suspension of the Syrian Constitution in July 1939.
  • The suspension of the Lebanese Constitution and the dissolution of its Parliament in September 1939, reported as a 'wartime measure'.
  • An increase in the number of French forces in Syria in September 1939.
  • The French Government's concerns in 1946 regarding the activities of the Arab League in North Africa.

The file features the following principal correspondents: His Majesty's Ambassador in Paris (Eric Phipps, succeeded by Ronald Ian Campbell); His Majesty's Ambassador in Bagdad [Baghdad] (Basil Newton); the British Consul, Beirut (Godfrey Thomas Havard); officials of the Foreign Office.

The date range of the file is 1939-47; however, with the exception of three items dating from 1946-47, all of the correspondence dates from 1939.

The file includes a divider which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence (folio 2).

Extent and format
1 file (83 folios)
Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the file.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 84; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.

Written in
English in Latin script
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Coll 6/90 'Syria: Anglo-French relations in the Near East. French policy in Syria.' [‎44r] (87/169), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/12/2162, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100043035211.0x00005a> [accessed 19 April 2024]

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