Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, Volume V, Part 2

867N.01/5–1448: Telegram

The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Douglas) to the Secretary of State

secret
us urgent

London, May 14, 1948—5 p. m.

2113. Following obtained from Foreign Office sources today re Palestine:

1. Foreign Office has no confirmation press story dated Cairo May 13 to effect Arab states henceforth will pay TJ 3,000,000 per year for services Palestine and that half this sum already paid TJ for first six months, Egypt’s share being pounds 630,000.

2. Kirkbride¹ telegraphed from Amman at 10 a. m. today that (a) Arab plans for tonight are as follows: Syrian and Lebanese column will attack from Lebanon. Another Syrian column will attack from Samakh. Iraq forces will attack Jisr Majani. Arab legion will establish itself Hebron, Ramallah and Nablus and then extend its sector; (b) it is understood Amman that High Commissioner and GOC have left Jerusalem² 18 hours in advance schedule as understood by Arabs with result Arabs protesting; (c) British Army has been asked assist AL units cut off from Jerusalem to reach Rafah and to return TJ via Akaba.

3. According earlier Foreign Office information last two companies AL will leave Palestine today. This will be announced Commons.

Douglas

1. Sir Alec S. Kirkbride, British Minister in Transjordan.
2. Jerusalem reported, on May 14, that these two officials and all senior members of the Palestine Government departed from Jerusalem at 0900 hours local time that morning. Mr. Wasson stated that the “High Commissioner … will proceed Haifa and board British cruiser for Malta at midnight tonight thereby officially terminating mandate.” (Telegram 606, 867N.01/5–1448) The British Government, in a statement prepared for public information by the Colonial Office and the Foreign Office, released a White Paper in 1948 entitled Palestine, Termination of the Mandate, 15th May, 1948 (London, His Majesty’s Stationery Office).