Editorial Note
On October 12, Morrison sent a personal message to Acheson in which he urged, inter alia, that the abrogation of the 1899 and 1936 agreements should not deflect the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Turkey from presenting the Middle East Command proposals to Egypt. “The support of the United States with that of France and Turkey in presenting these proposals will do more than anything else at the present time to convince Egypt of their value to her and to bring her as we hope she will be brought to play her part with us all in this great task.” Should Egypt decisively reject the Middle East Command proposals, and should she then seek to force Britain out of the Suez base by pressure, force, blockade, or other harassment, then, Morrison assured Acheson, British forces would determinedly hold the base for the use of whatever Middle East defense forces might be raised under the Middle East Command. “The plain fact will be that the British as I have said intend to hold the Egyptian base. If the Egyptians agree to participate in the Middle [Page 209] East Command well and good and the base would become an Allied base. But if there is no agreement with Egypt we still intend to hold the base so that it may be available for use by the Allies.” For Morrison’s message to Acheson, see page 398.