867N.01/1812⅕
Memorandum by the Adviser on Political Relations
(Murray) to the Secretary of State
[Washington,] June 2, 1942.
Mr. Secretary: With reference to the recent
conference held in your office concerning the harmful effects of Zionist
agitation on the war effort, there is attached, in accordance with your
instruction, a draft declaration, based on Atlantic Charter2 principles,
setting forth this Government’s attitude toward the Near Eastern peoples
generally, and the peoples of Palestine in particular. There is also
enclosed a suggested letter of transmittal to the President.
The drafts have been approved by Mr. Hoskins,3 and initialed by Mr. Dunn4 and Mr. Hackworth,5 who, you will recall,
took part in the conference. Mr. Dunn and Mr. Hackworth feel that before
it is issued, the declaration should be cleared with the British. I
concur in their view, and suggest that it might be shown to the British
before being sent to the President.
If you concur, would you please indicate the manner in which you desire
this matter taken up with the British.
[Enclosure 1]
Draft Declaration or Statement6
Some uncertainty appears to exist as to the attitude of the
Government of the United States toward the peoples of the Near East,
with
[Page 539]
particular reference
to their future. It is therefore desirable to make known this
Government’s attitude, which is as follows:
The war objectives of this Government as stated in the Atlantic
Charter include the “desire to see no territorial changes that do
not accord with the freely expressed wishes of the peoples
concerned”, and respect for “the right of all peoples to choose the
form of Government under which they will live”.
This Government is of course dedicated to the application of these
principles in the Near East as elsewhere. In Palestine, despite past
difficulties, it is highly desirable that a political solution be
reached through agreement between the Arab and Jewish communities,
and this Government earnestly hopes that outstanding problems will
be settled on that basis.
The record shows that the Axis powers have repeatedly and cynically
dishonored their promises and engagements. Therefore it is
inconceivable that any Near Eastern peoples place either faith or
credence in them. The Axis aggressors threaten the extension and
maintenance of freedom in the Near East; consequently, increased
participation in the war effort by all Near Eastern peoples would be
in their own interest and naturally would be welcomed by the United
States Government.
The participation of the peoples of Palestine in the war effort
obviously presents a difficult problem. The British Government as
the Mandatory is responsible for the defense of Palestine. It is
understood that the British Army is open to able-bodied
Palestinians, and that numbers of them have already enlisted.
However, if it should be deemed preferable to form separate Arab and
Jewish military units, and if the necessary equipment can be made
available, such an arrangement would be agreeable to the Government
of the United States. In the same way that United States forces are
used wherever danger threatens, these units would be utilized, under
United Nations command, wherever their services are required.
[Enclosure 2]
Draft Letter to President Roosevelt
My Dear Mr. President: The agitation for
the formation of a Jewish army in Palestine is having such alarming
effects in the Near and Middle East that I am impelled to draw your
attention to the matter. From the reports of our military and
political observers, it is clear that the British and ourselves
cannot use these territories as bases of operations against Germany,
Italy and Japan and as routes of access to the combat areas in
Libya, Russia and China, if, in addition to combatting the Axis
forces, we have to defend ourselves against the local
populations.
[Page 540]
The essential fact which has to be faced is that the Near and Middle
East is overwhelmingly Moslem. In India the only worthwhile fighting
material of significance is drawn from the large minority group of
80,000,000 Moslems.
These peoples are becoming more and more hostile to the United
Nations’ cause due to the fear that their fellow Moslems in
Palestine will be overridden. As the result of continuous agitation
by the Zionists of their ambitions in Palestine, the Axis
propagandists have been broadcasting, with good effect from their
viewpoint, that the United States intends to turn Palestine over to
the Jews despite the opposition of the Moslem majority in that
country. Of course, this agitation, which has recently taken the
form of full-page advertisements in the metropolitan press
advocating the formation of a Jewish army to defend Palestine, and a
widely publicized dinner here in Washington, gives the Axis powers
additional oil to pour on the fire, which is already dangerously
high. We have just learned that the Axis powers have promised the
Arabs their independence and the elimination of the Jewish national
home in Palestine. Doubtless, the Axis will in the near future make
public announcement of this promise as further evidence of their
friendship for the Moslems.
Much has been written and a great deal of blood has been spilled over
the Palestine problem, which admittedly is difficult. It is evident,
however, that no satisfactory and lasting political solution can be
reached except on the basis of common agreement between the Arabs
and the Jews in that country. So long as the Zionists feel that they
can obtain outside support which will enable them to impose their
own solution, they will not be disposed to treat with the Arabs on
equal terms. A settlement in Palestine resulting from the use or
threat of force, would, of course, be completely opposed to the
principles for which we fought the last war and are fighting the
present war.
For a year our representatives in Egypt and elsewhere in the Near
East have been calling attention to the progressive undermining of
the military and political position in the Middle Eastern area as a
result of Zionist agitation, and the fact that the authorities here,
through silence, appear to support the objectives of political
Zionism. I believe that the time has come when the position of this
Government, based squarely on the Atlantic Charter, should be made
known. To that end, I enclose a draft of a declaration or
statement7 which might now be issued
to clarify the situation.
Faithfully yours,
