Evening star., 1945-06-01
Franco-Syrian Crisis
Threatens New Snag
AT Security Farley
BY GOULD LINCOLN,
Star Staff Correspondent.

The Syrian crisis has thrust it's
head sharply, though unofficial
ly, into the United Nations Con-
ference.
Reports of heavy destruction of
lives and property by French
armed forces in Levantine cities
brought increased demands for
speedy establishment of the pro-
posed international organization for
peace on the one hand, and on the
other sharp criticism of leaving to
the Big Five, through their veto
power, the right to block peaceful
measures for settling international
disputes.
The prompt demands by President
Truman and British Prime Minister
Churchill that France desist it's
armed attacks on the Syrians, fol-
lowed by reports that cease firing"
orders had been handed the French
by Gen. de Gaulle, eaSed the situa-
ton here But it was admitted that
it still is filled with dynamite for
Ine conference.
Arabs Lodge Protest.
Secretary of State Stettinius is
exerting every effort to prevent the
Syrian issue from interfering with
the conference. However, this did
not prevent a group of delegates
from the Arab states lodging a pro-
test with him against Frances use
OF military forces in Syria and
Lebanon. Mr.. Stettinius made it
clear that the United States fully
supports the independence of these
two countries, but that this issue
is being handled in Washington,
not in San Francisco.
Word has reached here that Presi-
dent Truman has urged Mr.. Stet-
unius to appeal to the delegations
to speed the work of the confer
ence SO that it may be completed
not later than June r. He wishes
to be able to attend the final ses-
sion and also fulfill other import
ant engagements. 1t is presumed
that these other engagements in
clude a meeting of the Big Three
Mr.. Truman. Mr.. Churchill and
Premier Stalin-at some place not
yet designated.
The appeal comes at a time when
the conference has been sagging
badly due to constant delays re-
sulting from interminable debate
and from the reference of many
problems to home governments. 1t
is realized that unless something is
done promptly, with the sponsoring
powers taking the lead, the confer
ence may run on for weeks. A meet
ing of Big Five delegates to canvass
the situation was suggested for yes
terdAy, but for some reason it was
not pressed. 1t may be held today.
Delegates Point to Example.
In support of the demand for
quick erection of the international
organization. American delegates
pointed out today that had it been
in existence hostilities in Syria
might have been avoided under the
charter as it now stands
Under the Yalta voting formula
for the security council, France, as
one of the nations involved in a
dispute which threatened peace,
would not have been in a position
to veto the use of peaceful measures
to settle the dispute. The organi-
zation will have TO rule on such
measures of settlement, if actual
hostilities are to be avoided in the
future, it was pointed out.
On the other hand, delegates of
some of the medium and smaller
nations, which have been protesting
against the voting formula grant of
veto power to the five permanent
members of the security council, are
insisting still more strongly on cur
failing the veto.
The conference has been begged
down for days waiting for decision
on this voting formula issue.
Final action cannot be taken on
many other unsettled provisions of
the charter until this veto issue is
settled. AS the matter stands today
statement of the Big Five, giving a
complete Interpretation of their un-
derStanding of the voting formula
and the reasons for the formula,
still is awaiting final approval from
Moscow. Once this has been re-
celved, the statement will be made
public and showdown will follow
in conference committee.
Syrians Assail French Demands.
The Syrian delegation, headed by
Prime Minister Faris Elkhouri, is
emphatic in its denunciation of the
French attack. Mr.. Elkhouri said
the French are not only insisting
on military bases in his country but
also are demanding special trade
concessions and the teaching of the
French language in Syrian schools.
France, although it held mandates
over this area under the old League
of Nations, has recognized the inde-
pendence of Syria and Lebanon.
The Syrians say its present demands
are not in accord with their indie
pendence.
The French are arguing, for their
pelA =, bAiop Ll1Sy al z ctSS llluSll
to military bases in these countries,
over which they held mandate in
the past, as is the United States to
bases in the Philippines, whose indie
pendence this country has promised.
Through a publication called the
French Journal, they maintain that
under agreement with the two
countries France is responsible for
their military security; that if the
French forces left, those of some
other nation would move in; that
France must protect investments
there, and finally that French troops
going through there are to be used
in the Far East against Japan.
An issue which has plagued the
United States delegation, that of
the right of withdrawal from the
world organization, has been ironed
out to its satisfaction, 1t was learned
today. The charter as it now stands
makes no provision for withdrawal
American delegates have felt that it
might be impossible to get the
Senate to agree to ratification of
treaty which bound this country in