867N.00/317: Telegram
The Consul General at Jerusalem (Morris) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 1—3:17 p.m.]
More drastic measures by the military and the arrival of a battalion of the mechanized Eighth Hussars, thus providing a ninth battalion to participate in the intensive campaign now being carried on against terrorism, have apparently had some effect on the Arabs and the situation has been definitely easier for the past week. The strike has also [Page 444] been weakened in the last few days and it is being broken by many individuals, although stores and offices are still closed. It is possible the turning point is approaching unless Arabs should be seriously provoked or receive greater encouragement from the inhabitants of a neighboring country. Rumors are current that Abdullah10 is experiencing difficulty in restraining Trans-Jordan Arabs but only confirmation comes from newspaper correspondents recently returned from that country. Additional troops are expected shortly.
Consul Brent has just returned from a 2-day trip through the southern Jewish settlements and reports that Americans are satisfied with protective measures taken. Damage to American property in the south has thus far been slight and some groves have been insured against damage by riot.
- Amir Abdullah Ibn Hussein of Trans-Jordan.↩