501.BB Palestine/8–2048
Memorandum by the Secretary of State to the Under Secretary of State (Lovett)
Subject: Cabinet Meeting
Finally, I outlined the nature of Bernadotte’s request for relief assistance for the Arab DPs, depicting the situation and its urgency in connection with the settlement of the Palestine problem. All expressed great interest in this and thought we ought to find some way to make the appeal more public. Forrestal thought the oil companies could come across with larger sums and I replied I thought we had better reserve the pressure on the oil companies for the period following Bernadotte’s first three months. I did a little thinking out loud and stated that we had not yet touched one phase of the problem which was highly important, which was the reception and distribution of the supplies which would require a great deal of administrative ability and planning and supervision. Incidentally I should think we might approach this on the basis of getting the Bed Cross to send in the individuals who are trained in this business and have them assist the various Arab governments, and particularly to assist Bernadotte’s staff in establishing the preliminary basis of reception and distribution.
There was nothing else of any consequence that came up in the meeting.1
- Marginal notation by William J.
McWilliams, Executive Officer of the Office of Departmental
Administration: “Copies sent to Rusk and Hare. Appropriate action
being taken.”
Forrestal’s account of the Cabinet meeting is included in his diary entry for August 20 (Forrestal Papers).
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