'The growing demand in Britain that the' British forces should take the initiative with regard to Syria and occupy the country before the Germans do so has much to be said for it. It is hoped that the British War Cabinet will shortly make the decision that Syria is already a German occupied tort tory, and take steps accordingly.. There is evidence available that, either by penter tion as tourists, or as landings front. aero. planes, ground staffs are already in Syn for the purpose of taking over the aerodromes, from which machines could be sent fo take part in the anticipated attempt on Cyprus, or eventually cover a German advance out of Syria into Iraq with the ollfidds at Mosul and -Kirkuk as the main objective. Tt is to be noticed that both of these movements" would be part of the general pincer scheme with which the German command hopes to squeeze the British out of the Suez Canal zone, and consequent the Mediterranean.
Admiral Darlan in his latest diatribe against Britain. announced the intention of the Vichy Government to defend the French colonies but made no reference whatever to mandated areas, and as Syria falls under that heading the assurance which the Admiral then gave can be held not to apply to it. Thus Marshal Petain's number two will manage to keep the attenuated honour of the Vichy Government "comparatively unspotted neglects to do anything to prevent the Ger~ man occupation of Syria. Reuler's corres-Pondent at Ankara expresses the opinion that whoever gets into Syria first will meet with little opposition, and there is avery good case in favour of Great Britain taking the initiative. Tu the first case it can be taken for granted that nothing which Great Britain does, or abstains from doing will tend to improve relations between Whitehall and Vichy. The latter is so completely under the domination of the Germans that a Paris radio described France's connection with Germany as on a parallel with that existing between Great Britain and the United States. The only difference of course that whereas the former is one of com-Pulsion, the second is the voluntary frlend~ ship of tree peoples.
the second place it is necessary that the British should occupy Syria to. prevent Turkey being ultimately surrounded, for it the Germans were to establish a foothold in Asia "Minor the diplomatic pressure which Hitler would be able to bring to bear upon Turkey reinforced with a military' threat might have very considerable effect upon Turkey's future stand. The recent meetings of the British Cabinet, the two meetings of the French Government at Vichy seem to suggest that matters are rapidly coming to head. 'They cannot come too rapidly, there is a very definite feeling in Britain that the time has come to grasp the nettle firmly in order that victory' shall ultimately come out of present reverses, 'The danger that such action will bring France into the war has to be faced square ly, That would indeed be a tragic event ju which a country, the majority of whose people are still more than friendly' disposed to Great Britain, would be dragged into struggle to which they are naturally oppos-¢d, and one in which if with the Germans they managed to win, would merely bind them more firmly into the system of slavery which Hitler contemplates imposing upon Europe if he ever gets the chance. That, however, is not a consideration which should be allowed to weigh with the British Government, and it is to be believed that Mr. Churchill, realist as he is, will certainly not allow it to influence his decision. "Great Britain is in a better position to seize Syria than are the Germans at the moment. It would be the greatest of pities if they were to allow this opportunity to pass, and there fan be little doubt that if this does occur the British Government will not escape very considerable criticism. With an army believed to be 500,000 strong,—even though it has to cover a very large amount of terrifory—it should be possible for General Wavell to make such dispositions as would keep the Germans out of Asia Minor, and the occupation of Syria appears to be the frst initial "step. towards any such under aking.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.