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

501.BB Palestine/5–2448

Memorandum by the Secretary of State to the Under Secretary of State (Lovett)

top secret
eyes only

[Washington,] May 24, 1948.

I went over with the President the serious situation regarding Palestine matters particularly with reference to his reception of Mr. Weizman and its possible implication of de jure recognition,¹ and also the dangerous aspects involved in the question of the arms embargo. This was done along with reading numerous documents to him including Bevin’s current message² and Douglas’ views. I emphasized the tragic results which might well follow any action not carefully considered, its devastating results to him, not to mention the situation in the Middle East, and I said the only protection that I could see at the present time was a very careful maintenance of a relationship between Clark Clifford and you, Lovett, so that no action be taken that had not been either cleared by the State Department or the conditions implied explained for the President’s information. He agreed to this.

Incidentally I told him of the difficulty we had in preventing a number of resignations among the members of our delegation to the United Nations and the State Department. He was unaware of this and seemed much perturbed at the possibility.

I cleared several matters which have been indicated in appropriate memorandum in addition to this.³

1. As set forth in the Legal Adviser’s memorandum of May 24 to Mr. Lovett, not printed; but see Mr. Lovett’s memorandum of May 26 to President Truman and footnote 1, p. 1051. In an undated memorandum to the President, drafted by the Legal Adviser on May 22, the Department stated: “In view of the confusion which may exist concerning the significance of the proposed visit of Dr. Weizmann to Washington for discussion with the President, it is suggested that at the next press conference held by the President the following question and answer might dispel doubts concerning the legal effect of Dr. Weizmann’s visit to the President:

   “‘Q. Does the reception of Dr. Weizmann by the President constitute a change in the character of the recognition of the provisional government of Israel?’

   “‘A. No. This Government recognizes the provisional government of Israel as the de facto authority of that state. The President wanted to greet Dr. Weizmann and to talk with him again before his departure for Israel.’”

   A marginal notation toy Mr. McClintock states that the memorandum was delivered to Mr. Clifford by Mr. Lovett on May 22 (501.BB Palestine/5–2248). For the remarks made by President Truman at his press conference of May 27 on the visit of President Weizmann, see telegram 1978, May 28, to London, p. 1072.

2. Supra.
3. Mr. Humelsine, in a marginal notation, states that he read this memorandum to Messers. Rusk, Henderson, and Hickerson. The editors have been unable to identify the “appropriate memorandum” cited in the last paragraph.