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"After all the question is of no importance," replied Mr Menaged, "it is only for the case in which Syria might take part. ... When I sat down again he turned to another subject. It is evident that the director of the Antiquities Service wished to test my attitude by this probe in case his government decided to bear part or the whole of the excavation costs, as Lebanon does for Byblos and Sidon. At this point in our conversation, Mr Menaged again assured me how much his authorities would be eager for me to represent them personally and as soon as possible the excavations of Ras Shamra etc... He also revealed to me in turn that, since my declaration yesterday, his authorities had decided not to insist on a division of the tablets at Damascus. It would be possible to make from Paris a proposal for division, supplying in support the publications on the texts. Damascus will make known its agreement or will make a counterproposal. Mr Menaged insisted on the urgency of this division, the conclusion of which would smooth over the main difficulties.
Since my talks in Damascus, Mr Menaged has telephoned me several times in Beirut about points of detail. I was struck by the conciliatory and friendly tone of these remarks.
In summary, I do not doubt that the parties present are definitively settled for Ras Shamra as for Mari. Damascus will give the excavation permits. For Mari one must perhaps foresee a plan with a long time-limit. In the Jezirah, security is not assured according to the news obtained at Damascus. Under the leadership of the Shamara, the Bedouin tribes conduct raids, but they would intend to oppose the forces government deployed on the spot by Damascus. At the Iraqi frontier there would have been a pitched battle with considerable losses on both sides.
(continued p.5)
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