in Cairo)
"Washington. June 18.
a face the prospect of a long W the United States Secretary of War, Colonel Henry L, Stimson, told the Committee of the House of Representatives yesterday. indicating that the war might we more June 18.
Resi:
e by Vi reaps in Syria, s heped could be has now developed and General Dentz's forces have stu a blow in the centre which has led to fighting. It has, however, made no material change.
Latest despatches received here yesterday report that Merj Ayoum—claimed to have been taken by Vichy troops—is still in Allied hands. The situation there is well in hand and Allied reserves are available.
On the coast, the Allies have made little progress beyond Sidon and the position there seems reasonably secure, There is still fighting south of Damascus where certain Vichy positions have been captured, Syrians and Druses are generally friendly towards the Allies.—Reuter. than four years.
He said one of the benefits of the proposed St, Lawrence scaw which would take four years to build, would be the protection afforded to part of the route for munitions to England.
"In my opinion." he declared, "it is necessary to prepare for a very long emergency. We all hope that it will be briefer, but it is not safe to act on such a hope in the situation as it confronts us today.
"There is a very strong chance," he concluded, "of the emergency lasting long enough for the United Star to benefit by this sea wa; "Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.