890E.01/5–2845
The Department of State to the British Embassy
Memorandum
The manner in which the British Government, through the British Embassy in Washington, has kept the American Government currently and fully informed regarding recent developments with respect to Syria and Lebanon, and the British Government’s views with regard thereto, is deeply appreciated by the American Government.
Delivery of the note by the American Ambassador in Paris to the French Government urging that the Government of France review its policy in Syria and Lebanon should not, in our view, interfere with the holding of conversations on the subject of the Levant States with the French Government.
The note in question, which was of a friendly nature and which should cause the French Government no grounds for taking offence, was delivered this morning.
Now that the French Government is in possession of this note it knows before entering into any conversations with representatives of the American Government on the subject of the Levant States what the views of the American Government are.
The American Government would be glad to have its representatives participate in discussions with representatives of the British and French Governments with regard to the situation in the Levant States either in Paris or in London. It feels, however, that it would not be advisable for the American Government to join with the British Government in inviting the French Government to such a conference.
It should be clearly understood that the American Government could not at this time enter into discussions regarding the future of the whole Near East. The American Government must limit its participation in such a discussion to the immediate and urgent problem of the Levant States.