1942: Syria And Lebanon

Syria and Lebanon had been declared independent republics in 1941, and in 1942 this independence was consolidated. The government worked on a number of projects which would modernize and strengthen national life, such as the introduction of compulsory education and the appointment of younger educated men as village elders and mayors. The territories of Latakia and the Djebel Drus were incorporated into the Syrian republic, but retained a certain autonomy with local administrative councils. The territory of Latakia will have a council of 13 members, of whom 9 are elected, and the territory of the Druses a council of 9 members, of whom 6 are elected. The economic situation was improved and public works like road building were undertaken. The ties to the other Arab countries were stressed and the president of the Syrian Republic declared: 'We as a part of unified Arabia tie our hopes and future with those of the other Arab countries and we shall never forget our duty towards them.' Syria established diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Iraq.

The future of Syria will gain considerably from the building of a railroad from Haifa in Palestine through Beirut to Tripoli in Lebanon. Haifa is connected by rail with Egypt, while Tripoli is connected by rail with Iraq and the Persian Gulf on the one hand, and with Turkey and Europe on the other hand. With the construction of about 125 miles of tracks, the railroad link between three continents will be achieved. The British undertook the construction of this road primarily for military purposes, to ship war material by rail from Egypt to the Caucasian and Caspian fronts. Many of the laborers employed were South African Negroes. After the war the railroad will be given over to civilian use. It will be of importance also for forging a closer union among the Arab and Near Eastern countries.

The railroad was inaugurated at the beginning of September. The whole job took only nine months, though much of the track had to be built over sandy beaches, and material had to be brought from far away, i.e., India, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Great Britain. Lebanon could furnish only timber and cement. Thus the building of the railroad not only represented a British achievement, but also included the efforts of the United Nations.

In November 1941 the United States Department of State issued a statement affirming the sympathy of the American Government with the national aspirations of the Syrians. It expressed the hope that negotiations might be undertaken to enable the American Government to extend formal recognition to the two states. A further step in the direction of recognition of the republics of Syria and Lebanon was taken by President Roosevelt on Oct. 2, 1942, when he nominated George Wadsworth diplomatic agent and consul general in the capitals of the two republics, Damascus and Beirut. The Syrian government has repeatedly stressed the ties of sympathy connecting Syria with America. Many inhabitants, especially of Lebanon, have been residents of the United States, and the American University in Beirut has been long regarded as the foremost educational institution in the Near East, in which many of the present leaders of Syria and Lebanon have been educated and have received their training in democratic ideas.