867N.01/2280
Memorandum by the Under Secretary of State (Stettinius) to the Secretary of State
Mr. Secretary: Last Saturday I forwarded to the President a memorandum suggesting that, in view of the concern manifested in the entire Arab world by the Palestine resolutions now before the Congress, it might be wise to consider taking up with the British the possibility of issuing a joint statement which would postpone the settlement of the Palestine question until after the war unless the interested Arab and Jewish parties could reach a friendly understanding through their own efforts. The President subsequently returned this memorandum to me with his approval.
I wish you would consider whether the matter should be taken up now with the British Embassy with a view to issuing a statement before I leave for London or whether you would prefer to have Mr. Murray and me raise the question with the British in London.65 In view of Secretary Stimson’s letter and General Marshall’s statement [Page 588] to the Foreign Relations Committee, I believe we are fully covered this time with regard to the military phase of the situation. Needless to say, information about the proposed statement should in no way be allowed to leak.
I think that when a statement is issued, it should be released by the White House rather than by the Department.
During my absence you may wish to consult with Mr. Murray, and if you should decide to have the negotiations with the British here, I think you should ask Mr. Murray to initiate them promptly.66
- For correspondence regarding the Stettinius Mission to London, to engage in general and informal conversations with officers of the British Foreign Office, April 7–April 29, 1944, see vol. iii, pp. 1 ff.↩
- Wallace Murray was later detailed to accompany the Stettinius Mission to London.↩