867N.01/1519: Telegram
The Minister in Egypt (Fish) to the Secretary of State
[Received 3:35 p.m.]
37. Referring to my telegram No. 35, the Arab delegates except those from Palestine have submitted counterproposals to the British suggestions principally with regard to the transition period brought here by the Egyptian Ambassador at London. The Arab delegates expect Great Britain will either speedily agree or publish Great Britain’s own plan without further discussions with the Jews. It is reported here that while Malcolm MacDonald is anxious to satisfy at once the Arabs in view of the international situation the British Foreign Office does not wish to ignore altogether the Jews primarily because of the latter’s influence in the United States. If the British accept the counterproposals the Arab delegates hope to quickly win over the Grand Mufti of Palestine.