Foreign Relations of the United States, Diplomatic Papers, 1940, The British Commonwealth, The Soviet Union, The Near East and Africa, Volume III

840.48 Refugees/2358

Memorandum of Conversation, by Mr. J. Rives Childs of the Division of Near Eastern Affairs

[Washington,] November 22, 1940.

Mr. Malcolm²² called and stated that he understood the Department had instructed the American Embassy in London to inquire of the Foreign Office concerning the reported decision that the British authorities in Palestine were refusing to permit illegal Jewish immigrants to land, but were suggesting that they should proceed to Mauritius. Mr. Malcolm stated that he wished to leave the attached memorandum, dated November 22, 1940,²³ which had been received from the Foreign Office on the subject. Mr. Malcolm added that he could leave with us also the attached printed confidential memorandum on Jewish illegal immigration into Palestine,²⁴ which he would ask us to return to him when we had an opportunity of reading it.

Mr. Malcolm stated that the Jewish [sic] were apparently finding it difficult to understand the British policy in this matter, but that it had to be emphasized that very vital issues were at stake, as was explained in the accompanying memorandum.

Mr. Malcolm stated that a copy of the memorandum of November 22, 1940 had been made available to the British Press Service in New York for use as background purposes in dealing with the Press on this subject.

22. A. C. E. Malcolm, Second Secretary of the British Embassy.
23. Infra.
24. Not reprinted.