890D.01/5–3145: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Caffery) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 31—11:42 a.m.]
3159. Referring my telegram 3158, May 31,89 following is the translation of a note which although dated May 30, I have just received from Bidault: [Page 1126]
“I have taken particular note of your letter of the 28th instant in which you were kind enough to inform me of the attitude of the Govt of the United States regarding the situation in Syria and Lebanon.
The appeal which you have made to the liberal traditions of France and to the democratic principles which she has sought to disseminate in the world for the past 150 years cannot fail to find me responsive. These principles and these traditions are the basis of French policy. It is in order to follow them that the French Committee of National Liberation proclaimed the independence of Syria and Lebanon upon the arrival of Allied Forces in those countries in 1941.90 The Provisional Govt of the Republic recently gave new proof of these sentiments by intervening with the four Great Powers in order that Syria and Lebanon might be admitted to the San Francisco Conference.
If France believes that she has the duty and the right to defend in the Levant the century-old [centuries-old] interests with [of] which [she has charge,]91 she does not consider that this legitimate position is irreconcilable with the independence of the (Levant) States. The crisis which has now occurred proves that certain local elements which favor a policy of violence, the consequences of which can be serious for all, are ready to seize on any pretext in order to create confusion. An endeavor has been made to establish a connection between the general policy followed by France in her relations with the Levant States and troop movements of minor importance which were made in conformity with the military regime existing in Syria and Lebanon as it does on the territory of all of the Allied powers. Similar movements of troops, made since the beginning of the war by decision of the Allied military authorities, had never caused any protests. The very violence of the reactions which have just occurred permits the belief that they were prepared long in advance.
If measures are being taken to assure the defense of French soldiers and Nationals, I can nevertheless assure you that my Govt has never had the idea of going counter to its previous engagements. I myself have recently had the opportunity of declaring that the independence of Syria and Lebanon had been established and that France was happy to recognize it since it was she herself who had proclaimed it. This position is the basis of French policy and should allow the seeking of a reasonable solution once that order is reestablished and that spirits have calmed down.”
- Not printed.↩
- For documentation on these subjects, see Foreign Relations, 1941, vol. iii, pp. 725 ff., and 785 ff.↩
- Bracketed insertions based on text in French transmitted to the Department in despatch 2137, June 1, 1945, from Paris (not printed).↩