Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1944, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, The Far East, Volume V

The Secretary of State to President Roosevelt ⁶⁷

Washington, December 8, 1944.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee discussed the Palestine Resolution this morning but took no final action. It will consider the resolution again on Monday. Senator Connally read confidentially to the committee the following statement which we may issue if necessary; however, our decision as to whether to issue this statement will not be made until we see what happens on Monday.

“Resolutions pertaining to Palestine have recently been before the appropriate committees of the Congress, and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations has inquired as to the attitude of the State Department toward these resolutions.

The Department has the utmost sympathy for the persecuted Jewish people of Europe and has been assisting them through active support of the work of the War Refugee Board and in every other possible way. The Department considers, however, that the passage of the resolutions at the present time would be unwise from the standpoint of the general international situation, and has so informed the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.”

The Zionist leaders have been told that we may issue this statement and they hope very much that it will not be issued. It is possible, therefore, that between now and Monday they may indicate to Congressional leaders that they will not push for the passage of the Palestine resolution at this time.

We have been in touch with Chairman Sabath of the House Rules Committee and he informed us very confidentially that he may be able to get that committee to defer action on the House resolution.

If you have any suggestions would you be good enough to give them to me by wire.⁶⁸

E. R. Stettinius

67. President Roosevelt was at Warm Springs, Ga., at this time. Copy of telegram obtained from the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, N.Y.
68. Subsequently the Secretary of State received from the White House a memorandum dated December 9 concerning a telegram from President Roosevelt which read: “I think your course in regard to the Zion Resolution is just right. F.D.R.” (Hyde Park files)