![Coll 6/93(2) 'SYRIA: Situation in – after capitulation of France, 1940. Incl. Proclamation of Independence.' [‎92v] (184/626)](https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000000555.0x0002c3/IOR_L_PS_12_2168_0187.jp2/full/!1200,1200/0/default.jpg "Coll 6/93(2) 'SYRIA: Situation in – after capitulation of France, 1940. Incl. Proclamation of Independence.' [‎92v] (184/626)")
Coll 6/93(2) 'SYRIA: Situation in – after capitulation of France, 1940. Incl. Proclamation of Independence.' [92v] (184/626)
The record is made up of 1 file (311 folios). It was created in 3 Jul 1941-12 Dec 1944. It was written in English and French. 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.
2,
<
15 ,/
advantages indicated above 5 and that they must necessarily be
reserved to her in any treaty which she makes with the Lebanono
7e Granted that it is inconceivable that Great Britain
should think of disputing with France either her privileged
position in the Lebanon or her role of protector of Christians,
it seems that no argument can arise from the declaration that
France intends to use as basis of her relation with Lebanon
principles contained in Treaty of 1956 and its annexes,
8 0 Second objection of Foreign Office is directed
against statement made in my declaration that Lebanese -state
constitutes a unity which is nolitically and territorially
indivisible,,
9, So far as I can judge British anxiety must be lest a
declaration in this sense should arouse most violent protests
from Syria and lest there should result therefrom a state of
discontent which would be prejudicial in the present
circumstances to the peace of the orient and in the future to
the success of British policy in Arab countries,
10 . Apprehension concerning possible unfavourable Syrian
reactions is not in my opinion justified. Syrians were warned
by my declaration made at Damascus on September 27th of the
position adopted by Free France with regard to Syria - Lebanese
quarrels, I kept these quarrels within narrow limits by
confining them to the sphere of economic relations. Syria
clearly understood that~there was not, and would not be, any
question of political claims. They understood and accepted
this, for I have never received from them either directly or
indirectly a single protest on the subject. Press office has
never had to censor a single article raising the question of
return to Syria of any Lebanese territory.
11. At the same time it is of note that for their part
neither the Foreign Office nor Captain Lyttelton have made any
reservation in opposition to the conception expressed on this
point in my declaration.
12, France has made Lebanon basis of her
Levant
A geographical area corresponding to the region around the eastern Mediterranean Sea.
policy and
in building up Lebanon she has taken into account both the
needs of that country and the essentials of France’s own policy,
A compact Lebanon is necessary to her interests. It is also
useful in the interest of Great Britain since it is indispensable
for Western powers, who whether they like it or not will always
find themselves side by side against Moslems, to find in a loyal
state of mixed composition a counterorder to the independent
Moslem and Arab states. Counterorder is necessary on the
question of war because of the maritime and geographical position
of Lebanon. It is-necessary in time of peace because Lebanon
with its Mediterranean seaboard facing Europe is bridge-head
which gives access to Moslem hinterland.
About this item
- Content
Following on from an earlier file (IOR/L/PS/12/2166), this file concerns British policy relating to Syria, following the success of the British-Free French military campaign in Syria [Operation Exporter]. (The abbreviation 'Incl.' in the title stands for 'Including').
The date range of this file is 1941-44; however, most of the material dates from 1941.
Notable correspondents include the following: His Majesty's Ambassador in Cairo (Miles Wedderburn Lampson); Minister of State, Cairo (Oliver Lyttelton); His Majesty's Ambassador in Bagdad [Baghdad] (Sir Kinahan Cornwallis); His Majesty's Ambassador in Washington (Edward Frederick Lindley Wood, referred to in the correspondence as Viscount Halifax); the Secretary of State for India (Frederick William Pethick-Lawrence); General Charles de Gaulle; General Georges Catroux; officials of the Foreign Office, the War Office, and the Government of India's External Affairs Department.
The file includes discussion of the following:
- The British Government's relationship with Free France in Syria (particularly with General Charles de Gaulle) and the possibility that the Free French authorities are suspicious of Britain's interest in Syria.
- Concerns expressed by the Government of India (and to a lesser degree, by the War Office) that the Free French authorities intend to take the place of the Vichy administration in Syria and renege on promises of imminent independence.
- Arrangements for the repatriation of Vichy French officers and the return of British prisoners of war.
- The wording of a Free French declaration (a translated draft of which is included) announcing Syria's independence and the formation of a Syrian Government, with Sheikh Taj ed Din el Hassani [Taj al-Din al-Hasani] as President, issued on 27 September 1941.
- Britain's formal recognition of Syrian independence on 28 October 1941.
- Reports of unrest in the Deir es Zor [Deir ez-Zor] region during October 1941.
- The wording of a Free French declaration announcing Lebanon's independence (particularly the wording of paragraph 16, which makes reference to Lebanon as 'an indivisible unit'), issued on 26 November 1941 (a translated draft of the declaration is included).
- Whether the proclamations of Syrian and Lebanese independence constitute the termination of the French Mandate.
- Whether treaty negotiations should be initiated following the declarations of independence, or delayed until the end of the war.
- The appointment of Major General Sir Edward Spears as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary A diplomatic representative who ranks below an ambassador. The term can be shortened to 'envoy'. to the Governments of Syria and Lebanon.
Also included are copies of daily summaries produced by the Middle East Intelligence Centre (MEIC) in Cairo, covering early July 1941.
There is a small amount of French language material, consisting of extracts from drafts of both of the aforementioned declarations, as well as a copy of the full text of the declaration of Lebanese independence.
The file includes two dividers which give a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. These are placed at the back of the correspondence (folio 2-3).
- Extent and format
- 1 file (311 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 front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 312; 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. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
- Written in
- English and French in Latin script View the complete information for this record
Use and share this item
- Share this item
Coll 6/93(2) 'SYRIA: Situation in – after capitulation of France, 1940. Incl. Proclamation of Independence.' [92v] (184/626), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/12/2168, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100043060291.0x0000bb> [accessed 18 April 2024]
https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100043060291.0x0000bb
Copy and paste the code below into your web page where you would like to embed the image.
<meta charset="utf-8"><a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100043060291.0x0000bb">Coll 6/93(2) 'SYRIA: Situation in – after capitulation of France, 1940. Incl. Proclamation of Independence.' [‎92v] (184/626)</a> <a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100043060291.0x0000bb"> <img src="https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000000555.0x0002c3/IOR_L_PS_12_2168_0187.jp2/full/!280,240/0/default.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
This record has a IIIF manifest available as follows. If you have a compatible viewer you can drag the icon to load it.https://www.qdl.qa/en/iiif/81055/vdc_100000000555.0x0002c3/manifestOpen in Universal viewerOpen in Mirador viewerMore options for embedding images
Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/L/PS/12/2168
- Title
- Coll 6/93(2) 'SYRIA: Situation in – after capitulation of France, 1940. Incl. Proclamation of Independence.'
- Pages
- 92r:93v
- Author
- Catroux, Georges Albert Julien
- Usage terms
- The copyright status is unknown. Please contact copyright@bl.uk with any information you have regarding this item.