890D.01/5–3045: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Secretary of State at San Francisco
21. Your No. 8, May 30. I shall have a draft message from the President for de Gaulle ready for the President’s approval upon his return to Washington tomorrow. Pending the President’s decision you may wish to defer any message to Bidault. I am also considering the advisability of suggesting to the President a message along the following lines to the British Government:
“The situation in the Levant States is deteriorating so rapidly that in the opinion of the Government of the United States the most energetic steps should be taken immediately to bring about a cessation of the fighting. The American Government is therefore considering the advisability of calling upon the Governments of France, Syria and Lebanon to agree to a truce, pending the outcome of the proposed conference in Paris or London, with the understanding that neither side during the duration of the truce take any step to improve its position. For instance no additional French forces or military supplies would be introduced into Syria and Lebanon and no French warships would be despatched to the Levant. Since the population has been aroused by the armed clashes which have taken place, it may be difficult for the Syrian and Lebanese Governments to restrain their people. In these circumstances it may be desirable for British troops with the consent of both sides to assist in the maintenance of order during the period of the truce and for the French to concentrate their forces into barracks in the more important centers. The American Government is now of the opinion that it might be advisable to invite representatives of Syria and Lebanon to participate in some of the conversations to be held at London or Paris.
“An expression of the views of the British Government would be appreciated.”67
- There is no indication in the Department files that this message was actually sent to the British Government.↩