890D.00/800: Telegram
The Consul General at Beirut (Engert) to the Secretary of State
[Received 3:55 p.m.]
61. There has been some rioting in Damascus during the past few days in course of which one student is reported to have been killed, a number of people were wounded, and about 130 were arrested. All shops are closed also at Aleppo and Horns and armored cars are patrolling the streets.
Demonstrations started ostensibly as protest against rise in price of bread, but the High Commissioner who has just returned from Damascus told me last night that he suspected German agents among the Moslem Syrians were at the bottom of it. Although Von Hentig himself—see paragraph 2, my telegram 34, February 12, 10 a.m.49—left several weeks ago he told people that he expected to return soon with his wife and make a more prolonged stay. He [apparent omission] much printed propaganda in Arabic and some money among German-ophile Syrians and fictitious commercial agents who, in turn, are stirring up the masses by spreading all kinds of false rumors.
[Page 690]The most significant thing in this connection is the fact that General Dentz ascribed the troubles to German activities. I feel quite sure that 6 weeks ago he either would not have mentioned the Germans at all or would have accused the British of fomenting the disturbances.
Repeated to Vichy.