867N.01/1950
The Secretary of State to the Secretary of War (Stimson)
My Dear Mr. Secretary: I refer to my conversations with you early in August regarding a proposal for the issuance of a joint statement by the American and British Governments regarding Palestine.
As the result of the opinion which you expressed to me on August 5 that the situation in Palestine is not serious enough from a military point of view to warrant the issuance of a statement along these lines, we informed the British Government that in view of this opinion of the War Department no basis exists, so far as the United States is concerned, for issuing the statement, in as much as its sole purpose was to ameliorate a condition which was thought to be dangerous in the [Page 811] military sense. The British Foreign Minister and Minister for the Colonies stated that they were greatly disappointed at this decision.
At Quebec, on August 21, the British handed to us a communication concerning the present situation and outlook with respect to Palestine, a copy of which is enclosed herewith.99 I should be grateful if, after reading the British communication, you would let me have your views regarding it.
Sincerely yours,