The French at Palmyra surrendtr-Jed only after the Allies had graduily encircled the city in order to cut off any attempt by Vichy troops the fortress. to retreat towards Meanwhile the AWled forces con tinue to make progress on the south. fern fronts in Syria. [tis reported {hat large numbers of Vichy troops, when captured, are enlisting in the French forces, Tt Is expected that many more will come over.
Damascus Is in the meantime said to be fast returning to normal Are rival of consignments of Aust wheat has greatly eased the food situation, while the state of siege has been relaxed. Communications Ihave been re-established. Loca) tet phone services are restored, and fs possible to send telegrams abroad. During a recent visit to the city General Sir Nenry Maitland-Wilson, the British commander of the Allied forces in Syria, renewed the promise jof Syrian independence. He express fed to the Syrian. Government his satisfaction at the attitude of the Population during military operations: fand assured them of complete collaboration between the French and British in Syria.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.