867n.01/442
The Counselor of Embassy in Great Britain (Sterling) to the Chief of the Division of Near Eastern Affairs (Dulles)
[Received October 14.]
Dear Allen: Oliphant, of the Foreign Office,31 handed me the enclosed today which I am sending you in great haste and without much comment as the pouch leaves almost immediately.32 The document is a suggested reply to the Department’s representations against the decisions rendered by the Palestine Courts against American citizens and the increased customs dues imposed on Mr. Sachs, and is an attempt to bring to a friendly conclusion the whole vexatious question. He tells me that the Foreign Office has labored very hard with the Colonial Office in order to get as much as is contained in the reply and that he believes it will be difficult to secure any further concessions from the latter. He prefers, however, to get your views as to whether the proposed settlement will be satisfactory to the State Department before sending an official answer which might not be acceptable to you, and consequently again postpone an arrangement.
I think that Oliphant is quite sincere in his statement that he has worked very hard on this matter, realizing the justice of the American point of view, but at the same time feeling that it is impracticable to nullify and reverse action already taken by the Palestine Government. He assures me that the Foreign Office will do everything in its power to prevent further complications after the exchange of ratifications.
If you will telegraph me briefly after considering the proposed reply whether it is satisfactory or not, I will so inform Oliphant. If [Page 225] your telegram states that such a reply would be acceptable Oliphant promises to write officially to the Embassy at once.
Yours very sincerely,