Conferences de la Syrie 1921.
Froidevaux, Henri (Coordinator).
Synopsis
A series of four conferences discussing the situation in Syria, held at the Ecole Coloniale in Paris under the direction of Henri Froidaux (1863-1954), the French historian and geographer. Froidaux held the position as director of the library of the French Geographical Society from 1901 and was the author of several books about French colonies.
The first conference was held on 30 April 1921, participants discussed the geographical aspects of Syria and its population, climate, rivers, economy, religion and mountain range.
The second conference was held on 4 May 1921, it discusses Syrian agriculture and mineral resources and their bright future.
The third conference was held on 7 May the same year, a discussion about the position of France in Syria and its mandate of the country.
The fourth and last conference held on 18 May the same year, it discusses Sykes-Picot agreement, the British pressure and Lloyd George demands to enlarge the frontiers of British mandate Palestine in the north and the demands to include the plain of Hule and the lake of Tiberias into Palestine. Also discussion covers the proclamation of Syrian independence by King Faisal, the battle of Maysaloun and the events afterwards that led to the division of Syria into different states. Participants in this conference narrate the contribution of French scholars in the fields of Syrian archaeology and education.
