890d.48/14: Telegram The Consul at Beirut (Knabenshue) to the Secretary of State BEIRUT, October 19, 1925-1 p. m. Department's October 17, 6 p. m. I recommend Red Cross send $50,000 for refugees in Hauran. New developments indicate possibly increased number refugees and need for additional relief funds. Railway Beirut-Damascus not yet reported cut but increasing brigandage automobile road environs Damascus last week caused French to send expedition against them [sic] killing 200 and capturing 100. The dead bodies were exhibited public square Damascus and several villages near Damascus were burned by French for having, it is alleged, given refuge to brigands. Relatives of killed and other sympathizers now in arms against French in environs Damascus reported to number 3,000. Moslem sympathizers in Damascus enraged at French action are now in revolt. Keeley has just reported by telephone that French are bombarding city of Damascus with field guns and aeroplanes and that city is on fire. He believes both railway and automobile road too unsafe to send his family away. It is rumored also that Armenian refugees in Damascus have been massacred. The situation serious because the revolt at Damascus may be the signal for general revolt throughout Moslem Syria in which event Christians would be greatest sufferers. Please request Navy Department to have two destroyers in Mediterranean ready to proceed to Alexandria if requested and from where they could come to Beirut if needed. KNABENSHUE 890d.00/218: Telegram The Consul at Beirut (Knabenshue) to the Secretary of State BEIRUT, October 19, 1925—5 p. m. Keeley reports by telephone two-thirds Damascus in hands revolutionists of Damascus who tonight are expected to attack French forces numbering about 2,000. Foreigners have taken refuge in nearest available consulates. French reported to be withdrawing troops from Djebel Druse to relieve Damascus. Railway BeirutDamascus now reported cut. KNABENSHUE 890d.48/14: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Consul at Beirut (Knabenshue) WASHINGTON, October 20, 1925-4 p. m. Your October 19, 1 p. m., October 19, 5 p. m. (1) Navy Department is ordering two destroyers to proceed immediately to Alexandria where they will be held in readiness to go to Beirut if situation requires. They may be diverted direct to Beirut if you so recommend. (2) Department is consulting with Red Cross with respect to possible funds for refugee relief. From your telegrams it appears that situation on which original request of Ward was based has substantially changed and Department desires your recommendation in the light of recent developments. Particularly report whether and how many American citizens are likely to be in need of relief and if so where and approximately how much might be needed to meet this emergency. Also report regarding any serious emergency situation affecting native population, giving approximate numbers and location of needy, and possibility of proper distribution of relief under present conditions. KELLOGG 890d.48/15: Telegram The Consul at Beirut (Knabenshue) to the Secretary of State BEIRUT, October 21, 1925-6 p. m. Department's October 20, 4 p. m. Destroyers not needed or desired at Beirut at present moment but should await at Alexandria pending developments and my further advice. No relief funds required for American citizens. Christian residents Djebel Druse now refugees at Damascus, Esra and Deraa as a result Druse rebellion number approximately 8,000 and require immediate relief in nature of food and clothing. I recommend Red Cross send $15,000 to American Emergency Relief Committee, address in care of consulate with instructions to distribute relief direct to refugees and not through local or other organizations. French authorities gratefully approve and will render all assistance possible. Conditions resulting from recent developments might cause some difficulty in actual distribution. Armenian refugee camp at Damascus containing 6,000 Armenians reported to have been attacked and destroyed and many such refugees now arriving in Lebanon destitute. This situation will be investigated and a report thereof will follow. KNABENSHUE 890d.00/226: Telegram The Consul at Beirut (Knabenshue) to the Secretary of State BEIRUT, October 23, 1925—11 a. m. Demand from Damascus 100,000 pounds (Turkish) gold and 3,000 rifles by noon tomorrow, otherwise bombardment city will recommence. The President of the Syrian Assembly, who is one of the commission of seven representing people of Damascus who have just arrived at Beirut to negotiate matter with French High Commissioner, informed one of my staff that they intend to inform him that Damascus is unable to pay either the money or arms and that if, for failure to pay such fine, he recommences bombardment, it must be upon his own responsibility. If bombardment recommences, situation will become most serious but it is [hoped?] and believed the arrangements will be made somehow to postpone or prevent bombardment. Would the Department not consider using good offices with Paris? ... KNABENSHUE 890d.00/226: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Consul at Beirut (Knabenshue) WASHINGTON, October 23, 1925—7 p. m. Your October 23, 11 a. m. Department has carefully considered suggestion in concluding sentence of your telegram but does not feel that it could appropriately intervene in present situation. We wish of course to do everything possible to protect American citizens if their lives are in danger. Keep Department fully informed. KELLOGG 890d.00/227: Telegram The Consul at Beirut (Knabenshue) to the Secretary of State BEIRUT, October 23, 1925-midnight. [Received October 23-11:25 p. m.] Keeley reports State of Syria has guaranteed payment of fine (but the populace of Damascus oppose it) and the French have agreed at least to postpone bombardment pending more definite settlement. Train service being reestablished, hundreds of refugees including Moslems, Christians, Americans and other foreigners are pouring into Beirut and more are expected. This is arousing resentment against situation and undermining general tranquility at Beirut. Brigandage, assuming proportions guerrilla warfare, is increasing and spreading throughout Syria and uprisings similar to those at Hama and Damascus are potentially possible in this and other places. 6 In view of the report contained in my Oct. 23, 11 p. m., I respectfully repeat last sentence my Oct. 23, 11 a. m. KNABENSHUE 890d.00/228: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France (Herrick) WASHINGTON, October 24, 1925—7 p. m. 391. I desire you to make immediate and vigorous representations to Minister for Foreign Affairs that this Government expects that all possible steps will be taken for the protection of American lives and property in Syria. In your representations you may make discreet use of information contained in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of Department's 390 which tends to indicate failure on part of French authorities to extend adequate protection to American citizens in Damascus as well as a failure to give reasonable warning of impending danger to American Consul and our nationals from French bombardment and evacuation of their troops. 6 Further you may indicate that this Government reserves the right to demand settlement for any injury to American citizens and property and to make such further representations as the facts of the case may warrant in the event that it should appear that injury to American citizens or destruction of American property had resulted from unjustifiable action of the French Military forces. In this connection note what Keeley says with reference to French bombardment. KELLOGG 890d.48/16: Telegram The Consul at Beirut (Knabenshue) to the Secretary of State BEIRUT, October 26, 1925—6 p. m. [Received October 26-4: 51 p. m.] Department's October 20, 4 p. m., and continuation of my October 21, 6 p. m. Now estimated that 12,000 Armenians who were refugees at Damascus are now in dire distress as result of Damascus incidents last week. Driven from their camps which with all their worldly goods were destroyed, they are now living in distress chiefly in churches, schools and garages in Damascus, needing food and clothing, while a few hundred have come to Beirut. Please inform American Red Cross and Near East Relief. I repeat recommendation that Red Cross send $50,000 immediately and possibly more later. KNABENSHUE *Not printed. 890d.00/231: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Consul at Beirut (Knabenshue) WASHINGTON, October 27, 1925—6 p. m. Department advised by Navy Department that destroyers Coghlan and Lamson arrived Alexandria on October 26th. It is understood that they will remain there pending further word from you as to whether their presence at Beirut may be required. KELLOGG 8900.00/230: Telegram The Consul at Beirut (Knabenshue) to the Secretary of State BEIRUT, October 28, 1925-4 p. m. [Received 5:09 p. m.] Following from Keeley: "October 27, noon. Proclamation posted yesterday afternoon to the effect that if the total number of 3,000 rifles are not delivered by (February) [sic] city will be fined 10,000 pounds (Turkish) daily thereafter until all rifles requested by French are delivered. It is reported that 1,500 or half the levy have been delivered to date. Emir Tahir el Jazairely, who with his Algerian followers actively patrolled Christian quarter maintaining public order and reassuring Christians after the French fled, has been arrested for complicity in the revolution and for failure to obtain delivery of rifles. He is grandson of Abdel Kader who protected Christians in 1860. Hassan Kharrati, the leader of the band which started the trouble in Damascus, is now reliably reported to be in the outskirts of Damascus with 300 men. Other bands are operating in surrounding villages. All bands undoubtedly operating under the direction of revolutionists. Nassib Bey el Bakri nationalist himself heads a band. Banditry appears to be increasing environs Damascus but city itself is cowed. Business remains inactive. I am pessimistic for the future unless .. forces increased and policy changed." It is just reported here that Hama was bombed for the second time since original uprising there for failure to deliver rifles as fines for renewal minor disturbances. As forecasted in my despatch No. 1964, of September 2nd, French operations against the Druses seem to have failed and resulted in stalemate. French have withdrawn from Djebel Druse proper and retired to their bases in the Hauran at Esraa, Museifireh, Basra and Deraa where they will await reinforcements, which they are at last convinced are necessary, and will probably not be able to resume offensive until next spring. "Not printed. |