Office of the Historian

501.BB Palestine/10–2948: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Secretary of State, at London1

top secret   us urgent
niact
Washington, October 29, 1948—3 p. m.

4132. Eyes only for Secretary from Lovett. Shortly after eleven Thursday night Clifford called me from New York and asked me to transmit at once message for you contained in Telmar 119.2

I discussed the situation at length on the phone, referred to President’s approval of action contemplated in Security Council and his personal approval of telegram of October 21 sent USDel. Consequences of further delay and vacillation on dealing with breaches of truce were emphasized and impossible situation of USDel pointed out. Sender of message to you obviously under greatest pressure and incident which caused message was late paper story that Russian move to postpone consideration for two days was defeated by tie vote with three abstentions and that US vote was deciding factor in tie. Question asked me was why, in view of previous instructions to delay, we did not take advantage this opportunity.

Security Council action this morning in appointment subcommittee and adjournment without vote has composed matter for time being and am directed express appreciation your efforts. Am told removal restrictions on normal procedures may be expected next week when silly season terminates.3

Lovett
  1. Secretary Marshall arrived in London on October 29 and returned to Paris on November 1. For a report on his conversation with Bevin, see p. 1534.↩
  2. Supra.↩
  3. This telegram was repeated to Paris as Telmar 120.↩