867N.01/11–1445
The British Ambassador (
Halifax
) to the
Secretary of State
Washington
, November 14,
1945.
My Dear Secretary of State: Knowing how busy
you are, I am sending you by hand, rather than asking you to set aside a
time for another talk, a message I have just received from Ernie Bevin
about Palestine. I am, of course, at your disposal at any time to talk
it over.
Believe me [etc.]
[Enclosure]
Copy of Message From Mr. Bevin Dated
November 14th, 1945
The statement on Palestine was well received in the House and by the
press here. It is now very urgent to select and announce the Joint
Committee.
I suggest that the Committee should consist of about seven persons on
either side so as to allow it to divide up into sub-committees and
[Page 823] deal with the work
simultaneously and expeditiously. I am selecting a team of a general
character containing members of both Houses of Parliament and
experts from outside politics. I had considered appointing one or
more women members but am advised this might give rise to
undersirable reactions from Moslem opinion. I will let you know the
exact composition of the British team as soon as possible, but
meanwhile please pass to Mr. Byrnes again my thought, which I have
no doubt he will share, how important it is that those whom we
select should be impartial people who have not been connected
publicly or officially with either the Jewish or the Arab cause.