867N.01/837: Telegram

The Consul at Geneva ( Everett ) to the Secretary of State

252. Department’s telegram 124, August 3, 5 p.m. I have now been given an opportunity in strict confidence to examine the provisional minutes of the meeting in which the question of consultation with the United States was discussed. I believe that paragraph 2 of my 251, August 3, 4 p.m., summarizes accurately the substance of that discussion. Gore is not recorded as having used the expression “to get Washington’s consent for any change in the mandate”. He used the expression “confer with the United States Government”. I can discover no statement or allusion to the effect that agreement between the United States, Great Britain and the League on some solution would bring both Jews and Arabs around to the plan. Although the provisional minutes may not always record every remark made it seems probable in this instance that Streit drew that inference himself or from his informant.

As regards Gore’s remarks on the juridical status of the United States with respect to the mandate as reported in my telegram under reference, he said in addition that he believed it to be an historical fact that the Palestine Mandate was actually conferred not by the Principal Allied and Associated Powers but by the Principal Allied Powers alone.

Full text by mail.

Everett