867N.00/8–147: Telegram
The Consul General at Jerusalem (Macatee) to the Secretary of State
310. 1. Local reaction to news of findings of bodies of two British sergeants appears (a) Palestine Government and British military awaiting developments and possible instructions from London with characteristic calm (b) Jewish community frightened with Hebrew press condemning act and (c) Arabs wondering why British not as drastic with Jews as with Arabs during earlier rebellion.
2. Myerson, Zionist executive, called on High Commissioner yesterday afternoon. Reliably informed [s]he expected hear decision imposition martial law on large part of Palestine, and was prepared to state [Page 1135] intention of JA continue combat terrorism “even if British action made that more difficult”.1
3. JA source informs after meeting that High Commissioner reasonable and restrained and that Myerson considered atmosphere of conversation good as could be expected in circumstances. Myerson gathered imposition martial law not imminent probability.
4. High Commissioner in conversation with me two days ago mentioned concern about morale of troops but thought still pretty good. Nevertheless Tel Aviv incidents last night when British troops allegedly killed five Jews and injured many others demonstrate that hanging of two sergeants has placed great strain on ordinarily placid British troops.
5. Henry Cattan yesterday informed us of his proposed departure for New York as member Arab Higher [Committee] executive delegation. Said had recommended to executive that persons connected with Axis during war be omitted from delegation. Cattan added not worried so much about what might happen at GA as what would probably occur here afterwards. Mentioning Arab tempers running short said he and wife would be cautious about returning to Palestine this autumn.
- In
airgram 159, August 4, the Consulate General in Jerusalem reported
publication of the following resolution by Jewish leaders the day
before: “The representatives of the Community, called together by
the Executives of the Jewish Agency and the Vaad Leumi [Jewish
National Council], expressed their horror at the foul murder of two
British sergeants by unprincipaled men who have cast aside every
vestige of national responsibility. This outrage has already brought
in its train the killing of innocent persons by rioting soldiers.
“The representatives of the Community regard the cessation of terrorism as an inexorable national necessity and they call upon the Yishuv to intensify its efforts with all its organized strength to eradicate terrorism and give full support to the security forces of the Yishuv in order to carry out this object.” (867N.00/8–447)
According to telegram 311, August 5, 6 p. m., from Jerusalem, prominent Jews were arrested by the British on the morning of August 5. The Jewish Agency thereupon informed the police authorities that the British action cancelled the Agency’s efforts to start an anti-terrorist campaign (867N.00/8–547).
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