867N.01/4–1345
The Secretary of State to President Truman
My Dear Mr. President: It is very likely that efforts will be made by some of the Zionist leaders to obtain from you at an early elate some commitments in favor of the Zionist program which is pressing [Page 705] for unlimited Jewish immigration into Palestine and the establishment there of a Jewish state.
As you are aware, the Government and people of the United States have every sympathy for the persecuted Jews of Europe and are doing all in their power to relieve their suffering. The question of Palestine is, however, a highly complex one and involves questions which go far beyond the plight of the Jews of Europe. If this question shall come up, therefore, before you in the form of a request to make a public statement on the matter, I believe you would probably want to call for full and detailed information on the subject before taking any particular position in the premises. I should be very glad, therefore, to hold myself in readiness to furnish you with background information on this subject any time you may desire.
There is continual tenseness in the situation in the Near East largely as a result of the Palestine question and as we have interests in that area which are vital to the United States, we feel that this whole subject is one that should be handled with the greatest care and with a view to the long-range interests of this country.
Faithfully yours,