867n.156/15

Memorandum by the Consul General at Jerusalem (Knabenshue) of a Conversation With the British High Commissioner in Palestine (Chancellor), June 12, 192960

[Extract]

The decision of the British government to have the new Haifa harbor constructed by the Public Works Department of the Palestine government, instead of by private enterprise, seems to have been brought about primarily by the protests of the other powers. But on the other hand, the reasons given therefor by the British Foreign Office in its note to the Embassy of January 29, 1929,61 may be accepted, inasmuch as their statements in this connection represent, according to general knowledge, the actual situation here. For instance, it was reported in the local press of June 18th that, in consequence of representations made by the Jewish interests in Palestine, the Government had established the principle that in all of its public works, including the Haifa harbor, Jewish labor would be given 35% of the total of the work. Lastly, it must be admitted [Page 70] that the decision of the British government to have the Haifa harbor constructed by the Public Works Department of the Palestine government is quite within their rights in accordance with Article 11 (eleven) of the terms of the mandate, and therefore there would seem to be no basis for making further representations in this matter.

. . . . . . .

P. Knabenshue
  1. Transmitted to the Department by the Consul General in his despatch No. 31, June 25; received July 17.
  2. Supra.