Office of the Historian

890D.00/694: Telegram

The Consul General at Beirut (Palmer) to the Secretary of State

Beirut, May 31, 1938—5 p.m.
[Received May 31—1:15 p.m.]

Sanjak situation increasingly disquieting. High Commission delegate at Antioch has expressed to me his concern over the increasing bitterness between Turkish and non-Turkish elements and pessimism as to eventual developments whatever the outcome of registrations and election. The President of the League Commission now sitting at Antioch has similarly expressed himself to me. No major disturbances recently but two Alaouites killed at Antioch yesterday and two today. French authorities claim 600 Moroccan troops and 6 armored cars now in Antioch adequate to maintain order. Am keeping in touch with Princeton and Oriental Institute Expeditions.

Despatch follows.39

Palmer
  1. Despatch No. 644, June 27, not printed.↩