Reactions after the Declaration of Greater Lebanon I
Note on the Emir Faisal and the Eastern Situation [1920]
Text of a telegram from Greater Lebanon’s committee to the Syrian Central Committee
1920
"By an unspeakable act of violence, the Emir Faisal [...] has become the king of Syria, refusing any help or collaboration from France. Faced with the threat of a brutal regime, with its inevitable result of bloody unrest, the people of Beirut and all of Greater Lebanon expressively protested and refused to recognize the King of Syria. […] Greater Lebanon maintains its full claims. It intends to remain independent, rejects this suzerainty, resists by arms, and appeals to France to defend its rights, which are now associated with its own, based on the secular pact and the sworn-on arrangement.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Washington, October 23, 1920.
“Mr. Moukarzel, President of the Lebanese in America, informed us that the American government did not yet receive official notification about Mount Lebanon now being a state independent from Syria and placed under the French mandate. While the postal authorities accept only letters and parcels bearing the expression “Mount Lebanon-Syria," he asks for the intervention of the Embassy to let the federal post approve “Mount Lebanon" as an address. May I proceed with this request?
Signed: Bearn.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Paris, September 6, 1920
Letter from Millerand to Jusserand, French Ambassador in the United States.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Buenos Aires
September 11, 1920
The Emir Arslan introduced himself to the legation this morning, along with seven delegates from the Lebanese Alliance. He asked me, on behalf of the Lebanese residents in the Argentinian Republic, to telegraph Your Eminence to obtain official confirmation of the proclamation of the independence of Greater Lebanon, which took place on September 1 in Beirut. He also asked if the flag raised on this occasion could be adopted now as the Lebanese flag.
The delegates wish to convey (to the French Government) on this occasion, " a testimony of their eternal gratitude to France."
Signed: Clausse
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Independence of Lebanon
Paris, September 13, 1920
I would be grateful if you could confirm to the resident Lebanese of your country that the independence of Greater Lebanon under the French mandate was declared on September 1. The Beka[a], the regions of Sour and Saïda, as well as the cities of Beirut and Tripoli have been added as well. The flag adopted by the people is the tricolored flag carrying a cedar in the white stripe.
Signed: Millerand?
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
For Mr. Terrier.
Press Notes
Beirut, September 27, 1920
During a three-day trip to Tripoli and Qannoubine, where I was received at the summer residence of the Maronite Patriarch, I could see unanimous acclamations, and general enthusiasm, in favor of Greater Lebanon and the recognition of the henceforth independent populations under the rule of France, the liberator. I declared to all that it was necessary, not only for the wealth of the country but to put an end to emigration and bring back the emigrants to Greater Lebanon, where France promises to bring security, prosperity, and justice for all.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
September 19, 1920.
Telegram No 37, from La Havana.
“[…] I hasten to let you know that the Lebanese Colony of Havana has welcomed with great joy the new proclamation [of the] independence [of] Greater Lebanon under the French mandate […]”
Signed: CAVALLACE
French Consulate in Valparaiso
Directorate of the Commercial and Political Affairs
September 20, 1920
The French Consul in Valparaiso to his Excellency the Minister for Foreign Affairs
“I have the honor to inform your Excellency that, following the instructions of the Legation of France at Santiago, I transmitted to the local Syrian colony the ministerial telegram of September 13, 1920, confirming the independence of Greater Lebanon under the French mandate, declared on September 1, 1920 [...]”