867N.01/7–846
President Truman to the King of Saudi Arabia (Abdul Aziz Ibn Saud)3
Your Majesty: It was a great pleasure to me to receive Your Majesty’s letter of May 24, 19464 containing your preliminary views regarding the report of the Anglo-American Committee of Inquiry on Palestine, which was brought to me by my good friend and former Minister to Your Majesty’s Government, Colonel William A. Eddy, the day he arrived in Washington, and I wish to assure Your Majesty that it will be a very real help to me to have the benefit of Your Majesty’s considered views on this most difficult question.
[Page 646]I am deeply gratified by the close and friendly relations which have always existed between our two Governments and between Americans and Saudi Arabs generally. Although the questions under discussion between us are not without difficulty, I sincerely trust that these relationships will remain cordial and strong in the future.
I was very pleased that Your Majesty recognized the humanitarian principles which have motivated this Government in its approach to the Palestine problem. American interest in this question is of long standing and has been accentuated by the dire and urgent needs of victims of Nazi persecution. I am very conscious of the deep significance which all Arabs attach to Palestine and I particularly welcomed the visit to Riyadh of a sub-committee of the Anglo-American Committee of Inquiry. The report of that Committee reflects the complexity of the situation in Palestine. Its unanimous recommendations made after careful and dispassionate study I feel sure you will agree call for careful consideration by all.
I am sincere in my belief that the admission to Palestine of 100,000 Jewish refugees this year would neither prejudice the rights and privileges of the Arabs now in Palestine, nor constitute a change in the basic situation. I am convinced that Palestine can absorb 100,000 additional residents through its existing economy without interfering with the present inhabitants.
I have appointed a Committee of three members of my Cabinet to ensure careful consideration of the report on our part and to advise me. To that end they will engage in discussions with the British Government. I am hopeful that the situation will be further clarified by consultations with the Arabs and the Jews and that we can remain in close touch with the interested parties on these questions.
With my sincere wishes for the continued health and happiness of Your Majesty and for the prosperity of your people, I have the honor to remain your very good friend.
Very sincerely yours,