740.0011 European War 1939/5159: Telegram

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

79. With reference to my telegram No. 52, July 12. Eighteen hundred French naval officers and seamen who arrived at Beirut from Alexandria on July 12 aboard the French steamship Providence with the expectation of continuing to France a few days later left here for Marseille yesterday afternoon on the same ship.

Month’s delay, due to withholding of Italian permission for this [apparent omission] that is understood to have been approved by the British prior to the departure from Alexandria, became a cause of serious concern to the French authorities here because of growing discontentment among the seamen. Rumors of insubordination which were persistent during the past fortnight were repeatedly denied but it is understood that the seamen’s attitude finally forced the French authorities to make an insistent appeal for previously requested Italian permission which at last came through on August 12.

General Massiet who has been awaiting authorization to return to France by plane via Italy also sailed on the Providence but incognito. Six hundred tons of wheat which had not been covered by the British safe conduct but which they had learned might be shipped under a last minute authorization on the part of the competent French civil authorities [Page 903] at this port are understood to have been refused by the responsible French naval authorities.

Another ship is expected shortly with an additional contingent from the French naval vessels at Alexandria but with space also for the most discontented of the French Army reservists here whose repatriation at the earliest possible moment is locally recognized by French military and civil authorities alike as of primary importance. Any significant developments or indications as to the state of affairs in this regard will be promptly reported by telegraph.

Palmer