890D.00/8–2547: Telegram
The Minister in Saudi Arabia ( Childs ) to the Secretary of State
priority
335. Following continuation [continuous?] conversations Shaikh Yussef, Deputy Foreign Minister, last night and this morning:
As result assurances given SAG by US, mind of HM has been very much at rest over Greater Syria until last action King Abdullah. It was because this development HM had felt it necessary ask certain [Page 755] assurances British Government and to make the inquiries of us reported in my telegram No. 353 of August 24.1
Shaikh Yussef asked what I thought effect would be if we made known to British that we would support Syria in event aggressive action by Transjordan.
I replied it was inconceivable to me aggressive action might be undertaken by Abdullah considering that his army was under British command. British Government was fully aware of what our attitude would be in such an event.
Deputy Foreign Minister said he would have been of same opinion as I before recent message Abdullah Syrian President. If head of state capable so foolish an act he was capable of one no less foolish, namely the use of his army to carry out his views.
I answered that if Abdullah were even [alone] concerned I might share Yussef’s apprehensions but there was the important factor involved that Abdullah’s army was British-controlled. I had not been in consultation with my British colleague on subject but I felt confident British authorities in view, if nothing else, of their international obligations and desire preserve peace of this area, would be deterred from lending their support to any adventurism by Abdullah.
Yussef said he had been asked by [King ?] to inquire whether I thought matter should be referred to Security Council. I said at present stage this seemed to me to be too much in the nature of killing a fly with a sledge hammer. I expressed personal view Arab League was appropriate regional body to deal with question.
Yussef said it had been decided Syrian President would protest Abdullah’s message to other Arab states and request consideration at next meeting Arab League in October. When I asked why consideration not given if matter considered so serious to calling special session he replied this difficult owing absence so many principal interested officials such as Azzam2 in US. He added he would appreciate it if I might inquire my Government its views regarding reference question Security Council.
[Page 756]Deputy Foreign Minister said Syria was taking measures to resist any Transjordanian aggression and SAG would make declaration its intention to assist Syria in such event.3 SAG would appreciate also if US Government could give it an assurance that it would assist Syria and SAG in opposing an aggressive action by Abdullah. He said SAG would like also information as to what assistance could be given SAG.
Yussef asked me what I thought my Government’s attitude would be toward an aggressive act by Abdullah. I replied that without consulting my Government and in light public statements President and Secretary I could predict we would certainly look with the strongest possible disfavor on any aggressive action committed in this or any other area of the world. The attitude of the US Government had been clearly and unmistakably made known in this regard, as also our devotion to the principles of UN.
My Government’s attitude was well known to the British Government which I believed shared its views in this respect. Possibility of an aggressive action by Abdullah on the part of troops controlled by the British was therefore to me inconceivable.
Yussef said SAG was still awaiting a British reply regarding use of British troops by Abdullah against Syria. I said I did not presume to speak for British Government but I thought I could foretell what answer would be and that was that British Government would of course not lend its troops to Abdullah for such a purpose.
Sent Department as 355; repeated Baghdad as 36; Damascus as 7. Damascus please paraphrase for other Arab capitals.
Department please repeat London as 32.
- Not printed. This telegram from Jidda reported an oral communication was made by Shaikh Yussef to Minister Childs on August 24. The communication asserted that King Abdullah had sent a message to Syrian cabinet ministers and members of Parliament, proposing a new Syrian constitution. Additionally, the King had sent a private letter to President Kuwatly (the text of this letter, dated August 14, was transmitted by Jidda in despatch 351, August 26; 890D.00/8–2647), requesting an agreement with the President on these proposals, The communication also set forth the Saudi Arabian view that Abdullah would not have made such a declaration “unless he intends to do something” and inquired what help Saudi Arabia might count on from the United States. (890D.00/8–2447)↩
- Abdul Rahman Azzam, Secretary-General of the Arab League.↩
- The Legation in Jidda reported, in telegram 382, September 5, 1 p. m., that the Saudi Arabian Government had publicly announced its disapproval of King Abdullah’s manifesto and had pledged its support of Syrian independence (890D.00/9–547). This appears to have been done in Official Notice No. 104 of August 31, a copy of which was transmitted to the Department by the Legation in despatch 361, September 8 (890D.00/9–847).↩