867N.01/11–1345: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant)
9912. President today issued following statement regarding Palestine:
“Following the receipt of information from various sources regarding the distressing situation of the Jewish victims of Nazi and Fascist persecution in Europe, I wrote to Mr. Attlee on August 3131 bringing to his attention the suggestion in a report32 of Mr. Earl G. Harrison that the granting of an additional 100,000 certificates for the immigration of Jews into Palestine would alleviate the situation. A copy of my letter to Mr. Attlee is being made available to the press. I continue to adhere to the views expressed in that letter.
I was advised by the British Government that because of conditions in Palestine it was not in a position to adopt the policy recommended, but that it was deeply concerned with the situation of the Jews in Europe. During the course of subsequent discussions between the two Governments, it suggested the establishment of a joint Anglo-American Committee of Enquiry, under a rotating chairmanship, to examine the whole question and to make a further review of the Palestine problem in the light of that examination and other relevant considerations.
In view of our intense interest in this matter and of our belief that such a committee will be of aid in finding a solution which will be both humane and just, we have acceded to the British suggestion.
The terms of reference of this committee as agreed upon between the two Governments are as follows:
[Here follow the terms of reference, substantially the same as those proposed in the Secretary of State’s memorandum to the British Ambassador, October 24, page 785, except as noted in footnote 25, page 816.]
[Page 820]It will be observed that among the important duties of this committee will be the task of examining conditions in Palestine as they bear upon the problem of Jewish immigration. The establishment of this committee will make possible a prompt review of the unfortunate plight of the Jews in those countries in Europe where they have been subjected to persecution, and a prompt examination of questions related to the rate of current immigration into Palestine and the absorptive capacity of the country.
The situation faced by displaced Jews in Europe during the coming winter allows no delay in this matter. I hope the Committee will be able to accomplish its important task with the greatest speed.”
Text of letter of August 31 referred to will be given in Dept’s immediately following telegram.33
Sent London. Repeated Cairo, Jerusalem, Beirut, Baghdad Damascus, Jidda.34
- Ante, p. 737.↩
- Department of State Bulletin, September 30, 1945, p. 456.↩
- Actually this was done in the preceding telegram, 9911, not printed, which was repeated to Cairo, Jerusalem, Beirut, Baghdad, Damascus, and Jidda in telegrams 2109, 252, 356, 334, 79, and 325 respectively.↩
- As Nos. 2110, 253, 357, 335, 80, and 326, respectively.↩