Moussa Kazim El-Huesseiny'nin Barış Konferansı Başkanına muhtırası.

allow us to form a national Government based on the will of the people which at the same time would safeguard foreign economic interests. But unfortunately up to the present the rigours of a despotic administration on which there is no control continue to keep us under the most vexatious system. The peoples of Palestine and Syria groan under the Draconian measures adopted in order to insure order and the execution of the Mandates. And this Mandate idea which was invented after the war and which goes counter to all engagements has so changed that to-day it has become nothing less than colonisation pure and simple. In the engagement made with the Arabs by Great Britain who spoke in the name of the Allies, no reserve was made for the interior of Syria and Palestine which has been pitilessly given up to the domination of ambitious Zionists who threaten to annihilate the Arab race (Moslem and Christian) which forms the crushing majority in that country. This cruel policy has ended by creating the germs of continual trouble and disorder in this Holy Land which has always been quiet and peaceful. On the other hand France by the mouths of all her official representatives had promised absolute independence to the Lebanon. But to-day these three provinces which compose Syria are under the burden of slavery. The special regulations of 1861 and 1864 which were signed by the seven Great Powers and which guaranteed to the Lebanon the widest autonomy have never been abolished. How can the Lebanon, which for the past 60 year, has been enjoying its autonomy be allowed to go backward and lose this autonomy, while many peoples who were under foreign domination have recovered their independence. Furthermore, according to the National Pact of Angora the present Government in Turkey which has succeeded the Ottoman Empire of which Palestine and Syria formed part recognizes the right of these provinces to govern themselves. Following the Armistice Syria and Palestine had proclaimed their independence, and the Syrian Congress which assembled at Damascus communicated this proclamation to all civilized parliaments. On the 10th of March, 1920, Lord Curzon on behalf of England recognized this Government under the King's authority and invited him to the Peace Conference. Following the example of Syria the Lebanon on July 10th proclaimed its independence through its Administrative Council which had been duly elected and recognized by France herself. In spite of the fact that Syria, the Lebanon and Palestine are occupied by foreign armies they do not cease to consider themselves independent, and ask of you, Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Delegations, in the name of justice and in the interest of tranquility and peace, to recognize the independence of these countries, which will always be an element of equilibrium concord and peace. I have the honour to remain, Sir, Your obedient and humble servant, President Syrio-Palestine Delegation : MOUSSA KAZIM EL-HUESSEINY