The Italians are not meeting with all the success they would like in their armistice negotiations with the French in Syria, for it is reported that the latter are flatly refusing to comply with some of the former's demands. Under the Treaty of Friendship and y and a separate military convention entered into between France and Syria, France was permitted to maintain armed forces in the territories of the Jehol Dru: and Latakia, and to have placed at her disposal two aerodromes. The Italians, it appears are demanding the surrender of these bases together with control over the railways, and the handing over of a number of French submarines lying in Beyrout harbour. Quite obviously Italy desires to obtain these important concessions in order to provide bases on the mainland for eventual attack on the British forces in the "Middle East. There is, therefore, at the moment a fierce struggle going on behind the scenes which may have a profound effect upon the course of the war in that part of the world as well as in northern Africa. Italy with a foothold in Syria would be able to engage the British forces in Palestine, and it appears at the moment that the French in Syria are by no means disposed to accede to Italian demands.
Probably the reason why the French in Syria are growing more desirous of rallying round General de Gaulle, is due in the first place to a growing realization of the great betrayal of France by the Petain Government, and a better comprehension of all its implications. Added to that there is the example which has been set by the action of the French Equatorial Colonies which have gone over to General de Gaulle, and the fortitude and determination with which Britain is standing up under the German air-raids. It is becoming increasingly apparent to the Jarge numbers of Frenchmen, who refuse to accept the counsels of despair of the Vithy Government, that Britain indeed does still represent a rallying point around which those bent on continuing the struggle against the hideousness of Hitlerism can gather with prospects of ultimate success.
The full tale of the Italian demands upon Syria have not been made public, but what has become known clearly indicates a desire to reduce the status of Syria to the position of an Italian possession. Certainly it is clear that the Germans already consider themselves heir to the French colonies, and it is reported that even the Vichy Government is showing some restiveness concerning German demands. Should it seek to offer even a small measure of resistance it is possible that the Germans will dissolve it, replacing it with one. of their own, when the choice will be left to the officials of the French possessions still adhering to the Petain Government as to whether they will submit, or fight for their independence until France can again be restored. It is believed in some quarters that they will adopt the latter course, and go over to General de Gaulle, for if they sought to hand over lock, stock and barrel to a more thoroughly German government than is that at Vichy at the moment, the possibility is that the natives themselves, who know what Hitlerism mean: would rise in revolt.
Should the balance of the French colonial possessions in Africa decide in such a manner, the task of the British armies there and in the Middle East would be greatly facility ated. It would have the effect of restoring the situation as it existed prior to the defect tion of France and with the Italians having to fight.on two fronts instead of one as at present the prospects of the Allies would be decidedly good. General de Gaulle appears to believe that there is a likelihood of some such development. It will be all the greater as the'Italian terms become the more onerous. Whether the followers of de Gaulle in Syria are at present strong enough to attempt a coup. with any chances of success cannot at the moment be ascertained, but the possibility of the French there staying put and waiting for a military attempt on the country, and then fighting is not one to be disregarded. The French colonial empire may still be divided with regard to loyalty to Vichy, but, if Vichy falls, those who are Tdyal to it may find themselves under the con-tol of something far more sinister, unless they are prepared to fight.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.