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Coll 6/90 'Syria: Anglo-French relations in the Near East. French policy in Syria.' [‎55r] (109/169)

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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i
No. 1153.
(E 3243/284/65)
,^ry Confidential.
cP
' 3168 '
FOREIGN OFFICE, S.W.l.
10 th uly,
Sir,
I have received Your Excellency’s despatch No. 558
(221/1939) Very Confidential of the 1st May and I request
that you will take an opportunity of expressing to M. Bonnet
my appreciation of his courtesy in supplying me with the
information contained therein as to French policy in Syria.
2. I welcome M. Bonnet’s statement that the French
Government are proposing to enter into negotiations with
the Syrian Government regarding the modifications in the
1936 Treaty which they regard as indispensable. I agree
that the withdrawal of the French troops in Syria might in
present circumstances he dangerous, notwithstanding the
fact that their withdrawal from Syria would not mean their
withdrawal from the Lebanon where, even if the Franco-
Lebanese Treaty were brought into force, France would
apparently be able in effect to keep an unlimited number
of troops for an indefinite period. Indeed, I had assumed
that the ’’further arrangement regulating the relations
’’between the French Army and the Syrian Army” which was
negotiated with Jamil Mardam last autumn (see your
despatch No. 1380 (112/50/38) of the 24th November last),
already/
His Excellency
The Right Honourable
Sir Eric Phipps, G.C.M.G. [Knight] Grand Cross of [the Order of] St Michael and St George (accolade). , G.C.V.O.,
etc., etc., etc.,
Pario o

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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.' [‎55r] (109/169), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/12/2162, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100043035211.0x000070> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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