890D.01/629: Telegram
The Consul at Beirut (Gwynn) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 22—5 p.m.]
298. Department’s 135, August 19. I note Department contemplates appointing Diplomatic Agent to this post for reasons connected with our general policy concerning the Arab peoples. I have but the [Page 658] vaguest idea of what that policy may be. I should be most grateful for any directives Department may find it possible to give me to enable me to adapt my actions and words to the Department’s aims.
I have already expressed my views on this subject in the penultimate paragraph of my 24628 and paragraph 6 of my 264, July 26, 3 p.m. In view of the very unsatisfactory relations between the British and the French and the possibility of serious trouble arising between them, trouble that may profoundly affect the status of this territory but which it would seem must soon come to a head I feel it my duty to urge again that no important step be taken until we see a little clearer into this complex situation.
It is my conviction that the Arabs here have little use for the Allies and from what I can learn the situation would not appear to be very different in other Arab countries. They will like us when we have proved our strength and fall on us if we show any weakness.
If our policy is based on seeking their favor it is, I fear, ill-inspired. If it is based on the thought of favoring an Arab union I can only say that it is difficult to believe that the Arabs, who are essentially a people of families and clans all of whose interests are personal or local, none of whose tendencies are profoundly national or sufficiently patriotic to induce them to sacrifices such as westerners are called upon to bear, really want such a union. I cannot eliminate the thought from my mind that the Arab union is possibly an invention of the British fostered in the thought of excluding other westerners including perhaps ourselves … And it may be to our advantage to be able to deal with more than one party in defending our interests present and future in these regions. Oil and aviation come to my mind.
I am also at a loss to understand great haste in recognizing the independence of these peoples who have never or not for many centuries been free when we are as yet unable to restore independence to such nations as the Dutch and Norwegians.
Repeated to Cairo.