Evening star., 1945-05-29
France Warned
On nLevantCriis
Eden Indicates
Hints British Desire
WithdrowoI.of Troop
Reinforcements
BY the Associated Press.

Reinforcements
BY the Associated Press.
LONDON. May, 29.-Foreign
Secretary Anthony Eden broadly
limited today that France should
withdraw the reinforcements
sent to the Levant states, in or
der to avoid a possible flareup in
the Arab world that would ham,
per prosecution of the Pacific
war.
Dispatch of fresh French troops
to Syria and Lebanon led to out
breaks in those areas, which are
presenting a united front in de-
manding a showdown with France
on their demands for independence.
Mr.. Eden told Commons that "the
net increase of French troops is
very small-about 500 men-but
his majesty's government have told
the French government of their
fear that their arrival may cause
regrettable actions"
Calling on all parties involved
to behave with caution and pru-
dence," Mr. Eden declared it would
be ''inexcusable if developments in
Syria or Lebanon" interfered with
the war against Japan.
The United States Is CLOSELY con-
cerned" about the situation, he
added.
Proposals Received.
Mr.. Eden said the French REIN
forcements arrived in Beyrouth
about the same time as the French
delegate general brought French
proposals for final settlement be-
tween France and the Levant states.
He did not elaborate on the SUBJ
stance of those proposals.
There were hopes that the nego-
tiations were going to begin, but
unhappily they were timed with the
arrival of these reinforcements. We
express regret about that, and now
we have to start again to see if we
cannot better the situation"
The two tiny Middle Eastern
French mandates, backed by the
Arab League, appeared to be forcing
a showdown which may cost France
part of her empire.
Diplomatic observers In London,
who are watching developments in
the Levant with apprehension, ex-
pressed the view that France had
only two choices-either she must
stand by her demands and put down
opposition by force If necessary or
she must withdraw and accept in
evitable loss Of prestige as an inn
perial power.
General Clash" Feared.
Fighting already has broken out
in Syria between French forces and
natives protesting their presence.
An Associated Press dispatch from
Damascus said Syria's Acting Pre-
mier Jamil Mardam Bey had ex-
pressed fears that general clash
might be near as fighting spread to
HONS, l20 miles north of the capital,
after the FSench had moved REIN
forcements from there to quell an
outbreak at Hama, 30 miles farther
north.
The French were reported to have
the main street of HONS under
continual crossfire yesterday, shoot
ing at anybody venturing on the
street, while French artillery shells
had knocked out one wall of the
Sarail government building). Syri-
ans ambushed and captured three
French armored cars, killing six
crewmen and wounding three 9TH
ers.
At Hama best available estimates
in Damascus placed the casualties
at more than 200, including a con-
siderable expected proportion of
dead. French gendarmes were re-
ported in control of the railroad sta
ton, with Syrian Bedouins moving
in on the town from the desert to
the east.
French Greatly Outnumbered.
French and Senegalese troops gar
risoning HONS and Hama were be-
lieved to number possibly less than
300 men in each town, not includ-
ing larger numbers of Syrian levees
who were considered undependable.
In Damascus also, where both sides
were organizing defenses, the French
are greatly outnumbered.
This tense situation was viewed in
London as rapidly involving the
question of fundamental colonial
policy. The French desire to retain
a paramount position in the Levant
such as that enjoyed by Britain in
Egypt, Iraq and Palestine. The
French Foreign Office wants to safe
guard special interests deriving from
long established financial and cul-
tural connections.