867N.01/1599½
The British Embassy to the Department of State62
Aide-Mémoire
His Majesty’s Embassy has been instructed to inform the State Department in the strictest confidence of the final decisions of His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom regarding their Palestine policy as explained in the accompanying extensive extracts from the White Paper63 which, according to present arrangements, it is intended to issue in London on the evening of May 17th.
His Majesty’s Government trust that the United States authorities will appreciate the peculiar difficulties with which they have to contend in Palestine and that it will be understood that the policy upon which His Majesty’s Government have decided—which it is feared will unfortunately be disappointing to both Jews and Arabs—represents a sincere effort to fulfil the obligations which His Majesty’s Government have undertaken to the two people and to act justly between their interests.
[Page 751]The Constitutional provisions in the policy envisaged by His Majesty’s Government do not preclude an ultimate settlement of the Palestine problem on the lines most favoured by the Jewish leaders—i. e. a Federal basis. This possibility will not be specifically mentioned in the White Paper but the Secretary of State for the Colonies will make it clear during the Parliamentary discussion of the matter that such a solution is not excluded and will be for consideration in due course. Whilst it is still too early to envisage what may be the ultimate Constitutional evolution in Palestine His Majesty’s Government believe that a Federal solution, if it be practicable, may well be best.
With regard to immigration His Majesty’s Government have resisted very strong pressure from many quarters in favour of the immediate and complete stoppage of Jewish immigration.
It is understood that the President has frequently shown an interest in the possibility of some development and settlement either of Arabs from Palestine or else of Jews in Trans-Jordan. His Majesty’s Government share the President’s desire for such a development though expert investigations have indicated that the possibilities are somewhat limited. While the situation in Palestine has been tense and the Arab fear of domination by a Jewish minority continued, it was politically impossible for the Trans-Jordan authorities however willing they might be, to consent to any such Jewish settlement. His Majesty’s Government hope that their policy in Palestine will enable peace and confidence to be restored there in the near future and that in due course therefore it will be possible, if the Jews handle the matter tactfully, for them to induce the Arabs to agree to a development in Trans-Jordan on the lines which the President has advocated.
As regards the regulation of land sales the High Commissioner will do his utmost to follow as closely as possible the recommendations of the recent Commissions of Enquiry.