867N.01/1516: Telegram
The Minister in Egypt (Fish) to the Secretary of State
[Received 1:53 p.m.]
35. Department’s No. 19, April 11, 5 p.m. Dr. Weizmann arrived in Cairo April 11 and on the same day interviewed the Prime Minister, then met with Aly Maher, Iraq and Palestine Arab delegates and left for Palestine early April 12. I have been informed that Dr. Weizmann came to Cairo only for informal discussions and not upon the invitation of the Egyptian Government. Without attending April 12 meetings Dr. Weizmann flew to Palestine and is expected to spend a short time in Egypt en route to the United States next month.
The Egyptian Ambassador at London arrived here April 11 but London sources deny that he brought additional British proposals. It is believed that he has with him certain minor suggestions of the British Government relating to the transition period which he has submitted to the delegates.
Last night’s London denial that Nashát Pasha was bringing new British proposals is supported by the apparent indifference of the British Ambassador who is not expected to be back in Cairo from Mount Sinai vacation until April 14. The Ambassador told me recently that he had declined to take part in these conferences.
Iraq’s delegate Nuri el Said, whose presence is now required in Baghdad, is represented here by Tewfik Bey Suwadi, ex-Foreign Minister of Iraq. Emirs Faisal and Khalid and Shiek Hafiz Wahba are in Cairo en route to Saudi Arabia. They conferred with the Prime Minister on April 12. The few Palestine delegates here did not attend as their viewpoints were presented to the Prime Minister last week.
Dr. Weizmann urged the Prime Minister to permit no change in the status quo suggesting that discussions could be resumed here in about 3 weeks if the international situation becomes clarified.
Although it is believed that other Arab delegates might accept the new British suggestions it is seriously doubted whether the Grand Mufti of Palestine would assent. He apparently believes that, because of the international situation, the present is the time to force Great Britain to yield.