867N.00/334: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Bingham)
285. Personal and confidential for the Ambassador.
It has been brought to the attention of the President by influential Jewish groups in this country that the British Government is contemplating the suspension of Jewish immigration into Palestine. American Jewish leaders fear that such suspension may close the only avenue of escape of German and Polish Jews and that it may prove difficult to revoke.
Unless you perceive serious objection I should like to have you mention this matter to Mr. Eden11 entirely personally and unofficially, stressing the fact that you are not speaking on behalf of your Government. In this connection you could say that you do not of course presume to interfere in any way with the policy which Great Britain may adopt with respect to Palestine or to offer any advice thereon since the administration of that country is entirely a British responsibility. You could add, however, that you believed that the Foreign Minister would wish to know that influential Jewish circles in the United States are deeply concerned at the possible consequences of suspending Jewish immigration into Palestine and that in a personal capacity you are bringing this fact to his attention for such consideration as it may merit.
Please telegraph the results of such informal conversation as you may have, marking your reply as personal to me.
- Anthony Eden, British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.↩