Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1945, The Near East and Africa, Volume VIII

890D.01/6–145: Telegram

The British Prime Minister (Churchill) to President Truman ⁸⁴

[Paraphrase]

[London,] May 31, 1945.

61. In the light of the deteriorating situation in the Levant States, His Majesty’s Government felt bound to order the Commander-in-Chief of the Middle East to intervene, in order to prevent further effusion of blood. My immediately following message⁸⁵ contains the statement on the subject which the Foreign Secretary has just made in the House of Commons.⁸⁶

Owing to the urgency, His Majesty’s Government felt they could not wait longer for your reply to my message No. 59 but I feel sure that I may count on the support of United States Government for the steps which we have felt bound to take.

84. Transmitted to the Acting Secretary of State by the British Minister (Balfour) on June 1.
85. Copy not found in Department files.
86. Parliamentary Debates, House of Commons, 5th series, vol. 411, col. 378.