Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, The Near East and Africa, Volume VII

740.00119 Council/8–1546: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador to the United Kingdom (Harriman), at Paris

top secret
us urgent

Washington, August 15, 1946—3 p.m.

4112. For Harriman. I have discussed with President information contained in your 4034 and 4039⁴⁷ which proved most helpful. We have been greatly distressed here at continuing leaks regarding Palestine and have made every effort to maintain most absolute secrecy at this stage. In circumstances we are inclined to believe leaks must have come from Brit sources and from Goldmann himself. Brit must realize of course that sentiment in Congress and among public at large has been aroused to such an extent that most extreme caution must be exercised if we are to obtain Congressional approval to those aspects of plan calling for financial assistance and for admission of additional refugees into this country.

With regard to third paragraph your 4039⁴⁸ President has approved and contemplates issuing Friday afternoon a statement which we believe will contain reassurance on question of migration to places other than Palestine and which at same time constitutes most President feels he could say in a positive manner regarding present situation in view of considerations which I mentioned above. Statement of which you should give Brit advance copy reads:⁴⁹

“Although the President has been exchanging views with Mr. Attlee on the subject, this Government has not presented any plan of its own for the solution of the problem of Palestine. It is the sincere hope of the President, however, that as a result of the proposed conversations between the British Government and Jewish and Arab representatives a fair solution of the problem of Palestine can be found and immediate steps can be taken to alleviate the situation of the displaced Jews in Europe. It is clear that no settlement of the Palestine problem can be achieved which will be fully satisfactory to all of the parties concerned and that if this problem is to be solved in a manner which will bring peace and prosperity to Palestine, it must be approached in a spirit of conciliation.

It is also evident that the solution of the Palestine question will not in itself solve the broader problem of the hundreds of thousands of displaced persons in Europe. The President has been giving this problem his special attention and hopes that arrangements can be entered into which will make it possible for various countries, including the United States, to admit many of these persons as permanent residents. The President on his part is contemplating seeking the approval of Congress for special legislation authorizing the entry into the United States of a fixed number of these persons, including Jews.”

Sent Paris for Harriman; repeated London.

Acheson

47. Telegrams dated August 15 from Paris; neither printed.
48. This paragraph stated: “Bevin further said that the Cabinet was considering laying the original plan before the Jews and Arabs in the pending conferences with the statement that they were prepared to receive from both sides counter-proposals. He is fearful that the Arabs will not acquiesce in any plan unless other nations will take some of the Jews from Europe and therefore unless the first proposal of the original plan is approved by the American Government; namely, dealing with the problem of the resettlement of the displaced persons, including Jews on a worldwide basis. He pointed out that no mention had been, made in our message of this point and specifically asked me to find out whether the President was prepared to join by recommending to Congress the admission, of additional immigration to the United States. He asked that I obtain an urgent reply on this.” (867N.01/8–1546)
49. This statement was released by the White House on August 16.