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Coll 6/90 'Syria: Anglo-French relations in the Near East. French policy in Syria.' [68r] (135/169)
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. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
7
themselves in the unenviable position of supporting the
British Empire ? whose allies would very likely be engaged
in repressive measures against the Arabs in Syria. Ibn
Sauc., also, has told His Majesty 1 s Minister at Jedda that
if King Ghazi were to send a message to The King on the
subject he himself would have to do so too. Since then
Mr. Houstoun-Boswall has reported (see his telegram No. 99
cf the Gist March) that public interest in the situation
in Syria is likely soon to develop into serious agitation,
and he fears that, if disturbances break out in Syria, men
and arms will be despatched surreptitiously from Iraq, and
persistent pressure be put upon His Majesty’s Government
by the Iraqi Government to persuade the French Government
to ratify the 1936 Treaty. He further fears that a bitter
campaign of propaganda will also be waged against France
in which Great Britain, as France’s close associate, will
certainly become involved.
6 . I recognise that this cfbestiom does not
directly concern any neighbouring country and that the
French Government have already on tv/o occasion made it
clear that they do not welcome the interest shown in it by
the Iraqi Government. But His Majesty’s Government cannot
so easily ignore the views of their ally. They are
satisfied that the Iraqi Government are genuinely and
justifiably apprehensive of the ultimate effects on the
alliance of the present policy in Syria, and they are bound
to take these apprehensions into account. Moreover,
should war break out, the fate of France would depend quite
as much as the fate of this country upon the loyal co
operation of Egypt, Iraq and other Arab countries^
About this item
- 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 View the complete information for this record
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Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/L/PS/12/2162
- Title
- Coll 6/90 'Syria: Anglo-French relations in the Near East. French policy in Syria.'
- Pages
- front, front-i, 2r:24v, 26r:36v, 41r:84v, back
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence