867N.01/1675
Memorandum by the Assistant Secretary of State (Messersmith)
After talking with Dr. Lazaron20 yesterday, who came over from Baltimore to see me about the proposed visit to this country of Dr. Weizmann, I saw Mr. Welles. Dr. Lazaron indicated that invitations had already been issued by a Jewish group to a meeting in Washington early in January to meet Dr. Weizmann. Dr. Lazaron said that he had seen Mr. Paul Baerwald21 and they were of the opinion that it was very difficult for them to do anything to interfere with the proposed visit. It might lead to difficulties rather than smoothing them out. He suggested that the British Ambassador might be able to intervene and stop the visit to this country and also that the President might be able to take some action vis-à-vis Justice Brandeis and others.
Mr. Welles agreed with me that the British Ambassador would not be able to do anything. It was quite obvious that the British Government did not view such a visit with favor but there was nothing that the British Ambassador could do. Mr. Welles and I were also in agreement that the President would not find it desirable to take up this matter with any Jewish leaders. It was a matter for settlement within Jewry. The visit was highly undesirable as Dr. Weizmann undoubtedly was coming here to try to bring pressure on England with respect to Palestine from American public opinion. How undesirable it was to raise this question at this time should be obvious to everyone.
I am informing Dr. Lazaron by telephone that there is no action which we see can be taken at this time by this Government directly or indirectly.