Bid to Settle Syria Made by France

A direct invitation to Jewish organizations to start Jewish colonization in Syria was extended here by the French government, which is the mandatory power over Syria. The invitation was made by M. Candace, the French Under-Secretar for the Colonies.

“Jews will be able to achieve in Syria the same results as in the upbuilding of Palestine,” M. Candace writes in an article which appeared under his name in the Palestine et Levant Courier. “The French government will give the utmost support to the effort of the Jews to settle in Syria,” M. Candace promises.

MAY STUDY PROBLEM

In order to make colonization in Syria attractive for Jews of various countries, the French Under-Secretary for the Colonies discloses that his government may consider appointing a special committee to study the problem of Jewish settlement in Syria and to devise ways and means of stimulating an influx of Jewish immigrants into the country.

The French government is watching with great interest the prosperity in Palestine and feels that Syria too would greatly prosper if Jewish immigrants were admitted on a large scale there.

It is believed in French circles that much of the capital that is now concentrated in Palestine banks would be transferred to Syria if Jews were given the opportunity of acquiring land there and developing industrial enterprises.

The French High Commissioner in Syria, who was once opposed to the idea of admitting Jews into Syrian territory, has recently modified his attitude and suggested that Jews should be admitted on condition that they do not indulge in spreading Zionism. Another restriction he suggested is that Jews be not permitted to settle in territories bordering Palestine.

Certain high officials in the French government are now of the opinion, however, that these restrictions would only detract Jewish attention from Syria.