501.BB Palestine/4–1648: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom
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1375. Personal from Lovett to Ambassador Douglas. I have just seen urtel 15831 and find Bevin’s reply deeply disappointing. Please see him at the earliest possible moment and take up with him again the contents of Deptel 1260,2 particularly the reasons why US–UK cooperation in finding settlement for Palestine is essential to vital interests of both countries. Tell him that we have not made the proposals contained therein in any belief that they or any other proposals are likely to work out in a fully satisfactory manner. We have not been able, however, to devise any more practical way out of a situation which is being created by the termination of the Palestine mandate. Some stand-still arrangement appears to us to be necessary to allow for cooling off before any agreed final settlement is possible. If Bevin has any alternative suggestions we would be glad to consider them at once.
You can not emphasize too much the vital necessity for joint US–UK action within the UN to prevent chaos and heavy fighting in Palestine. The feeling is growing rapidly in this country that UK is failing to cooperate with other Members of UN on the very question on which it has itself sought UN action. We are very much concerned by the increasingly bitter attitude to be observed among other delegations in UN. We find it difficult to believe that UK can continue to assume non-committal attitude and pursue a policy which will result in a situation so dangerous to its own security as well as to world peace.
It will be necessary for the United States Representative to speak at an early stage of the Special Session of the GA. The nature of our public statement will depend in large part upon the degree of cooperation which can be expected from the UK. We hope therefore to receive a more helpful reply at the earliest possible minute.
[Page 829]In pressing upon Mr. Bevin the serious threat to broad US–UK cooperation inherent in a failure of the UK to assume an active role in this problem, you should make it clear that we are merely stating the practical situation which will be faced by this government in dealing with Congress and the U.S. public. Our informal talks with Congressional leaders have left us in no doubt as to their attitude. Since you know the incalculable harm which will result to every aspect of US–UK interests and activities from a continuance of uncooperative UK attitude in this matter, you will be able in your own words to reflect the urgency which we place on this aspect of the Palestine question.3
(Sent London 1375 Rptd New York 224.)