501.BB Palestine/4–1149
Mr. Mark F. Ethridge to the President
Dear Mr. President: [Here follows one paragraph of personal observations.]
This is by far the toughest assignment you have ever given to me. The Arabs are shocked and stupefied by their defeat and have great bitterness toward the UN and the United States. The Jews are too close to the blood of their war and their narrow escape, as they regard it, from extinction, and too close to the bitterness of their fight against the British mandate to exercise any degree of statesmanship yet. They still feel too strongly that their security lies in military might instead of in good relations with their neighbors. That is fantastic, of course, for so small a country and I have tried to point out to them that by not making peace quickly they are endangering their own security by stimulating Arab irridentism, and the security of America and the Western World. In other words, the absence of peace plays into Russia’s hands.
The Arabs have made what the Commission considers very great concessions; the Jews have made none so far. I appreciate greatly the help you have given along that line and will of course be grateful if you will keep the pressure up.
I am convinced that there is no sound solution to the refugee problem—that is, no solution that will not continue dangerous political agitation—short of the application of Point 4 of your inaugural message to the Middle East. I have been working with George McGhee, who was in charge for the State Department of the implementation [Page 906] of the Truman Doctrine. He was, as you know, sent out by the Department to look into the refugee situation. He and I are agreed on what we consider a sound approach. He returns to the United States next week and I have asked Mr. Acheson if he will not seek an appointment for him with you.
Again, thank you very much for your many evidences of kindness, and confidence.
Sincerely yours,