867N.01/6–2746: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Harriman) to the Secretary of State
us urgent
[Received June 27—3:21 p.m.]
6342. For Merriam from Wilson. Final meeting this afternoon approved report prepared by Drafting Committee summarizing results of our conversations.87
Preface of report states terms of reference of group and points out discussions were limited to physical and economic problems involved in recommendation 2 with no account taken of political and military repercussions or connection with other recommendations of Anglo-American Committee.
Body of report contains discussion of principal problems involved under headings of target, illegal immigration, method of selection, infiltration and measures whereby it might be checked, priority groups, issue of certificates by Jewish Agency under specific directive, transportation, reception in Palestine, rate of movement, cost of moving and absorbing the 100,000, provision of materials and supplies and general financial effect. Text of outline plan for operation is then given. Annexes give statistics regarding displaced Jews, rules governing issuance of certificates, and discussion of rate at which immigrants could be absorbed in Palestine. Latter annex comprises:
- (1)
- Statement of views of British Delegate;
- (2)
- Jewish Agency memorandum submitted by US and
- (3)
- report of Subcommittee comparing the two.
Among principal points made in report are that final decision on maximum rate could not in any event be taken without regard to political considerations connected with conditions in Europe and Palestine beyond scope of present discussions, that rates taken as basis for calculations in report are 4,000 and 10,000 monthly (with exception of transportation estimates which include higher hypothetical rates), but [Page 639] that nothing in report is intended to preclude either Govt from pressing for higher or lower figure. On cost of absorption, point is made that little difference exists between estimates of Agency and British Delegates when former are made to conform with latter’s assumptions, that British Delegates do not consider cost of operation to be less than 100 million pounds from public or private sources, but that Agency has informed President Truman that even if requested assistance should not be forthcoming, they are prepared to bear entire cost as they estimate it. With regard to paper just submitted by British Delegates on general financial effect of admission of 100,000 and resultant expenditures in behalf of Arab population which British Govt would consider necessary, point is made that report of Anglo-American Committee is intended to be read as a whole and that start of movement of 100,000 should be accompanied by initiation of proposals of committee for improvement of Arab standards. Agreed defer this paper for later consideration.
Meeting discussed possible announcement to be made to press and matter will be considered further tomorrow.88
As authorized by Dept Cramer is departing tomorrow morning for USFET for one day conference prior to returning to Washington. Dougherty, Billingsley, Lewis and I are scheduled to leave tomorrow afternoon by American Airlines flight 21 for Washington. [Wilson]
- The exploratory conversations on the physical problems involved in the transfer of 100,000 Jews to Palestine began at London on June 17. On June 21, Sir Norman Brook requested Ambassador Harriman to transmit the request of the British Government that a representative of the United States Chiefs of Staff be sent to London to hear the views of the British Chiefs of Staff on overall Middle East strategic questions as they related to Palestine (867N.01/6–2246). In telegram 466, June 23, 1946, from Paris to London, the Secretary of State expressed the view “that any military discussions between the British and US on the specific subject of Palestine are most undesirable at this time and that nothing should be done now which might be construed as indicating a US interest in the possibility of US military involvement in Palestine.” (867N.01/6–2346). Mr. Byrnes was attending the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers which was held at Paris from June 15 to July 12, 1946.↩
- According to telegram 6371, June 28, 1946, from London, a statement was issued by the British Foreign Office on June 28 with the approval of Ambassador Harriman. It stated that “Certain technical problems arising from recommendation No. 2 of the Anglo-American Committee of Inquiry have been examined with a view of preparing the ground for further discussions with the group of US officials representing the President’s Cabinet Committee on Palestine and Related Problems which is expected to arrive in London shortly.” (867N.01/6–2846)↩