In the Lebanon
The position in the Lebanon has been very substantially eased by the reinstatement of the Lebanese President and the release of the Ministers, the recall of M. Helleu, the French Delegate-General who took such precipitate action, and the instructions to General Catroux to negotiate with the President in regard to the establish- ment of constitutional order. Though the released Ministers were not given back their posts, it appears that they have in fact returned to their departmental offices and have taken up their old duties. The French have therefore gone a very long way in recognising their mistake and paving the way for an amicable settlement, and nothing is gained by harping on the fact -that much still remains to be done before the position is restored. The British have made the protest which they were bound to make as joint guarantors with the French of the promise of Lebanese independence and by reason of their military interests in the country, and they have been Oven full credit for their action throughout the Arab-speaking world. That being so, it behoves us to do everything that can be done to smooth the way for General Catroux and to facilitate a solution of the constitutional problem by quiet discussion. Mr. Casey, with full authority, has spoken and acted firmly and to the point. It was a great mistake for General Spears, the British Minister in Beirut,
to make a statement to the Press in which he appeared to be giving a lecture to the French Committee of National Liberation. General Spears was not appointed to give public advice on high politics to the French Committee, and such excess of zeal can do nothing but cause resentment among our Allies. This country cannot for a moment weaken in its attitude about the Lebanon, but everything 'possible should be done to secure the end with French co-operation.
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