Suppressed excitement and nervousness prevails at Beirut; and, while it is not generally believed that an uprising will occur here, it is feared that a slight incident might inflame the Moslem population. I have today sent the following note to the High Commissioner: "I have the honor to bring to your Excellency's attention that rumors have reached me that you have taken certain precautionary measures with a view to the bombardment of the city of Beirut in the event of an armed uprising against your authority. I have the honor to request that in the event of your deeming it necessary to bombard the city of Beirut, you will be good enough to give me sufficient warning before the commencement of such bombardment to enable me to advise my nationals to take refuge in a place of safety. As doyen of the consular corps in Beirut, I have the honor to ask that I may be permitted to advise my colleagues that you will likewise communicate a similar warning directly to each of them." KNABENSHUE 890d.48/22a: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Consul at Beirut (Knabenshue) WASHINGTON, October 29, 1925-2 p. m. Draw on Department for $2,000 appropriated by Red Cross for relief of American citizens. This sum should be expended under general supervision of Consulate preferably through a committee of American citizens as need for relief of Americans arises. Submit account of disbursements. 9 Red Cross in consultation with the Department has carefully considered your telegraphic request for appropriation for general relief of refugees from Damascus and Hauran District but does not feel that it will be consistent with its policy to make appropriation under existing circumstances. Need for relief has been created by war conditions due in part, as appears from your telegrams, to tactics adopted in Syria by France. Relief appropriation by Red Cross at this time might create impression that Red Cross would assume a continuing responsibility to take over a burden which should rest squarely on the Mandatory authority. KELLOGG See telegrams of Oct. 19, 1 p. m., and Oct. 21, 6 p. m., from the consul at Beirut, pp. 108 and 109. 890d.00/232: Telegram The Consul at Beirut (Knabenshue) to the Secretary of State BEIRUT, October 29, 1925-12 p. m. I have received from High Commissioner written assurance requested by note quoted in my telegram October 28, 4 p. m. He expresses strong conviction that uprising here improbable. I concur but believe it is not impossible. Keeley reports by telephone: (1) Only 2,200 rifles delivered to date; (2) destruction of houses throughout the disturbed area has made many thousands homeless, many of whom are joining ranks of brigands, numbers of whom [omission?] and now becoming formidable; (3) French have apparently taken no precautionary measures to prevent reentry of brigands into Damascus; (4) several districts near Damascus in the hands of brigands have declared their independence. Brigand movement in Damascus and other regions shows indications of development into a widespread organized revolutionary movement. KNABENSHUE 890d.48/23: Telegram The Consul at Beirut (Knabenshue) to the Secretary of State BEIRUT, October 30, 1925-4 p. m. Department's telegram of October 29, 2 p. m. My recommendation for relief native refugees was based upon fact of their actual destitute condition and belief that Red Cross desired to come to relief if need could be shown to be real. There is no doubt that refugee situation is due primarily to French tactics and that the responsibility therefor rests entirely upon the French. The Department and Red Cross are fully justified in so deciding and I withdraw my recommendation. New York headquarters, Near East Relief, seem to be contemplating extension relief and I therefore suggest that they be informed of the Department's views of the matter. KNABENSHUE 890d.00/234a: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France (Herrick) WASHINGTON, October 30, 1925—6 p. m. 403. Following for your information and for repetition to American Consul, Beirut, as Department's October 30, 6 p. m. "For your information and for Keeley. Associated Press today reports as follows from Paris: 'American official reports presented to the French Foreign Office by the American Embassy on instructions from Washington have given the French Government more information about the actions in Syria of General Sarrail, the French High Commissioner, than Paris has received from General Sarrail himself.' In this connection see last paragraph Department's October 24, 6 p. m.10 Department considers that the full reports transmitted by you and Keeley have been of material assistance in bringing the French Government to a realization of their responsibility for the protection of lives and property of Americans and other foreigners. Keeley may in his discretion repeat to Paris any future telegrams which you feel might be of assistance to the Embassy in the event that the Department should consider further representations to the French Government necessary. If telegram sent Paris, so indicate in telegraphing Department." KELLOGG 890d.00/230: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Consul at Beirut (Knabenshue) WASHINGTON, October 30, 1925-7 p. m. (1) Department's October 27, 6 p. m. If at any time you consider immediate presence of destroyers at Beirut desirable, you are authorized to communicate your request directly or through American Consul Alexandria in the event that there is not time to communicate first with Department. Destroyers at Alexandria have been authorized by Navy Department to proceed at your request. Advise Department if such action taken. (2) Department assumes that you will keep Keeley fully advised of all communications received from Department relating to present situation, such for example as Department's October 24, 6 p. m.10 and Department's October 29, 2 p. m. (3) You may make available to Keeley any part of Red Cross donation of $2,000 which may be needed for relief of Americans in Damascus district. (4) Detailed reports from you and Keeley have proved most helpful and prompt action taken by you and Keeley for protection of American lives and property and in impressing upon French authorities their responsibility for protection of American citizens is fully approved. Your October 28, 4 p. m. and October 29, 12 p. m. received. 10 Not printed. KELLOGG 126127-40-vol. II—13 890d.01/225: Telegram The Ambassador in France (Herrick) to the Secretary of State PARIS, October 31, 1925—1 p. m. 532. My 530, October 30, 3 p. m.12 Sarrail has been officially recalled and General Duport will take over temporarily pending appointment of civilian commissioner. HERRICK 890d.00/238: Telegram The Consul at Beirut (Knabenshue) to the Secretary of State BEIRUT, November 3, 1925-4 p. m. Keeley reports by telephone that a large force is concentrating outside Damascus threatening to attack the French and that the attack is momentarily expected. Information from other sources is to the effect that it is a combined force of Druses and revolutionists of Damascus area numbering 8,000. It is reported that railroad between Rayak and Homs has been cut. Rumors which may or may not be well-founded are to effect that a general uprising including Beirut of Moslems against French is imminent being encouraged it is believed by the recall of Sarrail and attitude of the foreign papers against French action here. In consultation today with the American representatives of the various American interests here forming a committee of eight we decided that immediate presence American destroyers here is highly desirable not only for the moral effect of their presence in possibly preventing an uprising but to provide effective means of protection in case uprising occurs. I have consequently requested destroyers to arrive here on the morning of November 5th. KNABENSHUE 890d.00/239: Telegram The Consul at Beirut (Knabenshue) to the Secretary of State BEIRUT, November 3, 1925-5 p. m. [Received November 3-4:45 p. m.] Also sent to Embassy at Paris. Official communiqué announces that General Sarrail under instructions his Government will leave for Paris to make verbal explanations. 12 Not printed. Having worked in close friendly personal and official cooperation with Gouraud, Weygand, De Caix and Dereffye, I offer, as an impartial but friendly observer, my unbiased opinion that, as a result of the incidents which occurred during the current year culminating in the Damascus affair, France's position in Syria and the Lebanon is in many ways more difficult today than it has been since 1919 and that her prestige here is at its lowest ebb. It is the general consensus of opinion among all classes of people that because of the high respect and confidence in which they hold Weygand he is the one Frenchman who might reestablish France's position here at less cost and effort than could be accomplished by a stranger to the people, be he ever so able. It has been the general belief that if Weygand were to replace Sarrail and be authorized to demand no indemnity and to grant amnesty to all political offenders, which under the circumstances seemed to be the only just policy to pursue, the gravest problems would have been overcome almost instantaneously. However latest indications are that the situation may soon be too far out of hand for a solution of the difficulty by the policy outlined, even by Weygand. The chaos existing here at present has caused an economic crisis which has materially affected our growing and already important trade with this country and the reestablishment of responsible government and public security is essential to our commercial interests here. [Paraphrase.] I may add that when Weygand was High Commissioner he was distinctly friendly to the United States and to American interests here. [End paraphrase.] KNABENSHUE 890d.00/243: Telegram The Consul at Beirut (Knabenshue) to the Secretary of State BEIRUT, November 4, 1925—3 p. m. [Received 3:40 p. m.] Following from Keeley: "November 3, 11 p. m. Despite official French communiqué to the effect that, except southeast of Damascus where a small band has been dispersed by French cavalry, complete calm reigns in all other parts of Syria, I consider that the situation generally in this district becomes more serious daily. Rebel forces reliably estimated at 3,000 reported to be advancing on Damascus. Bombs dropping from aeroplanes plainly visible from the consulate roof and gunfire distinctly heard for some time during battle this afternoon between the rebels and a French detachment about 5 miles east of Damascus. French forces insufficient to subdue rebels, who easily elude small detachment sent after them. French are destroying all villages the inhabitants |