867N.01/8–2247: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom
us urgent
niact
3623. For Ambassador. We are deeply disturbed at reports which have been reaching us that Brit Govt is planning to return Jewish refugees on Exodus to camps in Germany. Action of this kind would profoundly shock large sections of American public opinion and would injure Brit position in US. We have informally and privately discussed matter with Balfour who had already expressed similar views to London and he has promised to bring our concern to attention Brit Govt. We hope you will find opportunity in immediate future also in personal and friendly way to endeavor to dissuade Brit from adopting such course. We have noted the views of the British Govt expressed [Page 1140] in para 7 Embtel 4425 Aug 15.1 We appreciate difficulties encountered by Brit in endeavoring to maintain status quo Palestine pending outcome of UN decision. We also realize Brit irritation with. US on ground that illegal immigration to large extent planned, financed and organized in this country. Nevertheless return of Jewish refugees to Germany will serve only to arouse bitterness and to aggravate situation.
- Not printed; paragraph 7 provided information from
Mr. Beeley that “While British Government might have to decide
eventually on some other destination for Jews now at Port de Bouc
(not Cyprus or Palestine) present plans call for ships remaining
indefinitely Port de Bouc.” (867N.01/8–1547)
The British Foreign Office issued a statement on August 21 that the three British transports carrying the illegal immigrants, which had been off Port de Bouc since July 29, would sail for the British zone of Germany by 6 p. m., August 22, unless the immigrants began to disembark. The text of the statement is, printed in The Times (London), August 22, 1947, p. 4.
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