Evening star., 1945-06-01
Allied Force Of Seven Millions
To Fight Japs> Truman Declares;
French Refuse to Retire in SYRIA
Firing Is Stopped,
But Troops Won't
Stoy in Barracks
BY the Associated Press.

LOlNOOlN, JullC 1.-T dllCC 1C
fused today to comply will
Prime Minister Churchill's re-
quest that French troops in Syri:
retire to their barracks to avoit
the possibility of clash with tn,
British, but in a conciliatory
move ordered her troops tt
cease fire."
French troops will remain in theil
positions" said French commu-
nique issued in Paris after a cabinet
meeting.
BY ordering French troops to cease
fire the French thus complied with
half the request of Mr.. Churchill
backed by President Truman, to
take steps to end the bloodshed.
French Stop Smelling.
In further steps to resolve the
dispute that threatened to plunge
the Arab world into revolt, it was
disclosed that the United States had
agreed to sit with other powers in
the role of mediator.
The British Foreign ONCE an
nounced that France had been in
vited to participate in a London
conference with Britain and the
United States to settle the issues
involved in the Arab-supported de-
mands of Syria and Lebanon for
full independence and Allied insist
ence upon safeguards for their COM
munications lines to the Pacific war
areas
Beyrouth dispatches said all was
quiet in Syria and Lebanon after
the French finally stopped their
shelling and bombing of Damascus,
Syrian capital, and that small arms
fire had ceased. At least 400 persons
had been killed and 500 wounded.
The British commander in the
Middle East, Gen. Sir Bernard C.
Paget flew to Beyrouth this morning
in a bomber escorted by Spitfres
British destroyers swung at anchor
in Beyrouth Harbor.
British Move on Damascus.
British troops, tanks and vehi-
cles moved along the main roads
toward Damascus yesterday follow
ing Mr.. Churchill's orders to inter-
vene.
Paris newspapers used the term
"ultimatum" in describing Mr..
Churchilrs note asking Gen. de
Gaulle to halt French military ac-
tivity in Syria, but discussed the
situation in generally moderate
terms.
Some French newspapers did not
comment at all. Others cautioned
Britain that "appeasement" of the
Arabs in the case of Syria held
dangerous potentialities for Britain
elsewhere in the Middle East. Some
criticized Gen. de Gaulle for TAX
ing more aggressive attitude than
French strength justifles.
The general tone. however, was c1
injured French pride, rather thar
concern.
"Conciliatory Spirit" Urged.
The official French announcement
did not say when the orders to cease
fire had been given. Up to moor
French spokesmen in Paris had beer
denying such an order had gone out
but said the local commanders ir
Syria were instructed to meet the
situation as they thought best and ir
a "conciliatory spirit
Beyrouth dispatches quoting Off
cial announcements there, however
said the French commander in CHIEF
had agreed to cease fire and accep,
British orders after a conference
with the British commander.
When the French communique
finally was issued, it came after q
cabinet meeting at which Foreign
Minister George Bidault had giver
a full REPORT.
Gen. de Gaulle apparently hac
waited overnight in order to get 8
line on French public reaction.
A Minister of Information spokes-
man in Paris, asked when Gen. de
Gaulle would reply formally to Mr.
Churchill, said Il can't tell whethe,
there will be reply"
Called "Greatly Exaggerated"
A commentary from the French
Ministry of Information, meanwhile
said that the incidents in Syria ano
Lebanon have been greatly exag.
gerated" and reiterated the French
position that the unrest in the two
countries were artifcially stimu.
lated.
French troops had been forced tt
take action, it was said, by the "acts
committed by special troops of Syris
and Lebanon commanded by Syrian
and Lebanese officers"
The commentary closed with ar
expression of hope that no new in.
cidents would arise.
The French added that the situa.
tion probably would not delay Gen
de Gaulle's conference with Presi.
dent Truman who has invited him
to Washington.
The British Foreign Office, in an.
nouncing the invitation to France
to London conference, said the