890d.00/259: Telegram The Consul at Beirut (Knabenshue) to the Secretary of State [Paraphrase] BEIRUT, November 16, 1925-7 p. m. [Received November 17-1:41 a. m.] Reference Paris Embassy's telegram to Department November 13, noon. 1. The Italian consul has repeatedly told me during the past 3 years that his Government had given him instructions to follow the policy here of the United States. At his request Italian ships were sent to Rhodes for purpose of protection. I am convinced they were not sent for political reasons. 2. Colonel Foy, our military attaché at Constantinople, is due here on November 18. I repeat recommendation made in my telegram of November 7, 1 [2] p. m. When Colonel Foy arrives there will be a conference between him, Captain Fairfield, and Keeley, who temporarily is at Beirut. 3. It would embarrass the French more to have the destroyers depart and return later than it would to have them remain here. Having the destroyers here gives a feeling of security to Americans, foreigners, and the natives. . . The continued presence of the destroyers is justified for that reason alone. On the other hand, people would become panicky should our destroyers be withdrawn now, and such action would be generally condemned. 4. The arming of Christians throughout the Lebanon by the French has incensed the Moslems and Druses who are thus placed in potential danger. Thus a most critical situation has been created which may result in general religious warfare, especially throughout the Lebanon. . . . Moslem and Druse leaders have taken the initiative in arranging meetings with Christian leaders to keep the situation in control and prevent a religious war but their efforts may be rendered fruitless by the action of the French in arming the Christians. Claims and counterclaims are made, but I am convinced that the revolutionists have been, and are still, making every effort not to molest Christians and that the Christians are molested only when they oppose the advance of the revolutionists. Word has been sent to me by leading Moslems and Druses asking that the United States intervene to persuade the French to stop giving arms to Christians. 5. Although the French announce reenforcements they have practically no troops for defense in the Lebanon at present. 6. The Druses defeated a small French force yesterday and captured Mardayoim [Merjayoun]. 7.... 8. Department's attitude as given in its telegram of November 14, 8 p. m. is much appreciated. This telegram sent to Embassy at Paris and to Department. KNABENSHUE 890d.00/259: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Consul at Beirut (Knabenshue) [Paraphrase] WASHINGTON, November 17, 1925—7 p. m. Department has no intention at present of withdrawing destroyers in view of situation set forth in your telegram of November 16, 7 p. m. KELLOGG 890d.00/267: Telegram The Consul at Beirut (Knabenshue) to the Secretary of State [Paraphrase] BEIRUT, November 23, 1925-6 p. m. [Received November 23-5: 45 p. m.] I respectfully request that I be given discretionary authority to dispense with destroyers when Colonel Foy, Captain Fairfield, and I decide that we may do so without danger. We hope that this can be done not later than about December 1, when the new French High Commissioner is due to arrive. This telegram sent to Embassy at Paris and to Department. KNABENSHUE 890d.00/267: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Consul at Beirut (Knabenshue) [Paraphrase] WASHINGTON, November 24, 1925-8 p. m. Your telegram November 23, 6 p. m. The Department realizes that it may be desirable to arrange to have destroyers withdrawn before the new French High Commissioner arrives or at the time of his arrival. The Department, however, before authorizing such action desires to have you give a more detailed report indicating that you believe present conditions are such as fully to justify the departure of the destroyers. Alarmist reports still appear in the newspapers regarding the military situation in Syria. It might, therefore, result in misunderstanding in this country should the destroyers be withdrawn. The De partment does not desire to give discretionary authority until the reports from you as to the adequacy of measures taken by the French to protect American lives and property are more reassuring. KELLOGG 890d.00/288: Telegram The Consul at Beirut (Knabenshue) to the Secretary of State BEIRUT, November 28, 1925-5 p. m. With reference to the Department's telegram November 24th, 8 p. m. From a technical point of view it was believed that the military operations taking place when my telegram of November 23, 6 p. m. was sent would result in a defeat of the Druses who had entered Southern Lebanon and their withdrawal into the interior and that henceforth all operations would be confined to the interior and that the coastal region would remain safe from attack. However the 4,000 French troops sent against the Druses at Rashaya succeeded only in relieving the garrison in the nick of time. The Druses numbering several thousand are now in occupation of Hasbaya and it is reported are awaiting large reenforcements from the Djebel Druse for an offensive in the Lebanon. In the meantime French troops withdrawn from Homs for the relief of Rashaya weakened the position there, the railway south of Homs was cut and fearing the seizure of the town by the rebels half the population have left upon the advice of the French authorities. Altaffer reports: "November 26, 12 noon, railroad cut south of Homs, two battalions of troops have been sent from Aleppo. Situation here quiet but Christian population is apprehensive in view of military forces leaving district. Have you any suggestions to make in case it becomes necessary to advise the 43 resident Americans to leave city? Best exit appears to be via Alexandretta. The Government cannot be depended on to afford protection to foreigners.' While some seven or eight thousand reenforcements have been received during the past 2 weeks it is believed that at least 20,000 additional troops are required. Colonel Foy and Captain Fairfield believe that the disturbances will be confined indefinitely to the interior and that therefore destroyers are no longer required here. Inasmuch as there are in my opinion so many potential possibilities for more widespread disturbances I must recommend continued presence of destroyers until the situation becomes more clarified. Also sent to Embassy at Paris. KNABENSHUE 890d.00/297: Telegram The Consul at Beirut (Knabenshue) to the Secretary of State [Paraphrase] BEIRUT, December 4, 1925-9 p. m. The new French High Commissioner, Jouvenel, arrived day before yesterday and today he waited upon the Legislative Assembly of the Greater Lebanon. It is his policy to offer peace to those who are peaceful but a fight to the finish to those who want war. Jouvenel grants to the Legislative Assembly the right to draw up an organic law for the Greater Lebanon. He intimates that if the interior regions lay down their arms he will extend the same right to them. Lebanese aspirations should be satisfied by Jouvenel's declaration. This together with the fact that the menace of Druse invasion of the Lebanon has been relieved by the arrival of reenforcements during the past 3 weeks should assure public safety in the coast regions and make it unnecessary to keep destroyers here to protect Americans in this region. Very likely there will be no cessation of guerrilla warfare in the interior [but it is not probable?] that the coast will be disturbed. I recommend, therefore, that the destroyers be withdrawn at once so as to strengthen further the position of the new High Commissioner and help me in my relations with him. Sent to Paris Embassy and to the Department. KNABENSHUE 890d.00/297: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Consul at Beirut (Knabenshue) [Paraphrase] WASHINGTON, December 5, 1925—4 p. m. On basis of your recommendation the Department has arranged to have the Navy Department withdraw the destroyers at once. The understanding is that they will go to Alexandria. They are to stay there until December 15 so that the Department may judge the effect of their departure before they proceed to the western Mediterranean to join the Pittsburgh. Telegraph recommendations should you feel that it is important to have the destroyers stay for a longer time near Beirut.13 13 "On the recommendation of the consul at Beirut, the two destroyers were retained within a short cruising distance from Beirut. On December 28, the Navy Department was informed that the consul had reported on December 26 that there was no reason for keeping the destroyers longer in the vicinity of Beirut. Separate instructions are being sent by Navy Department to captain of the destroyers. KELLOGG PLACING OF AMERICAN RESIDENTS OF FRANCE ON AN EQUALITY WITH FRENCH CITIZENS WITH RESPECT TO INCOME TAX EXEMPTIONS 851.512/48 The Chargé in France (Whitehouse) to the Secretary of State No. 4502 PARIS, October 17, 1924. SIR: I have the honor to invite the attention of the Department to the fact that Article 44 of the French law of March 22, 1924, states that the reductions in taxes given on account of the size of the family will only be accorded to the citizens of those countries which possess treaties of reciprocity with France. A copy and translation of the article in question are enclosed herewith.1 The only clause that I have been able to find in the conventual [conventional?] relations between the United States and France which might have a bearing on this question is Article XI of the Convention of Peace, Commerce and Navigation of 1800,15 which states that American citizens shall pay in French territory no other or greater duties or imposts than those which the nations most favored are or shall be obliged to pay. As the Embassy has already been asked to define the rights of American citizens under the 1924 law, I should appreciate the Department's instructions in this regard. I have [etc.] 851.512/48 SHELDON WHITEHOUSE The Secretary of State to the Chargé in France (Whitehouse) No. 1190 WASHINGTON, November 10, 1924. SIR: The Department has received your despatch No. 4502 of October 17, 1924, inviting attention to Article 44 of the French Law of March 22, 1924, which states that the reductions in taxes and other charges provided for the benefit of large families will only be granted to aliens who are citizens of countries which possess treaties of reciprocity with France. You state that the only provision that you have been able to find in the treaty relations between the United States and |