780.022/4–253: Telegram
No. 1511
The Ambassador in Saudi Arabia
(Hare) to the
Department of State1
759. British Ambassador advises he delivered note and message from Churchill regarding boundary question to acting head Foreign Office this morning.
Note was along lines adumbrated by Foreign Office London2 consisting of lengthy development of subject and concluding with statement of reservation of freedom of action in respect of British and Sultan of Muscat. Churchill message to King was in characteristic [Page 2531] robust style which opened by saying sending separate note which he realized would displease King but felt could speak frankly to King as old companion in arms and hoped that any adverse effect on traditional friendship would only be temporary. British had responsibilities vis-à-vis sheikhdoms which must be discharged and could not abandon weak when faced by strong. He felt King would understand this point of view. Situation was that British were doing what they thought was right and King was doubtless doing likewise. So far neither had been able to convince the other but it should not be beyond scope of statesmanship to find just solution.
Ambassador said acting head Foreign Office asked what “reserving freedom of action” meant. Ambassador said he could not elaborate but thought meaning clear. Acting head Foreign Office then asked if this should be considered declaration of war. Ambassador said constituted nothing of the kind and he resented any such implication by acting head Foreign Office.
Would appreciate Embassy London’s sending if available copy of Churchill’s letter which British Ambassador tells me is not being released together with note but being kept confidential.
- Repeated to London, Dhahran, and the Arab capitals.↩
- Presumably this reference is to telegram 5371 from London, Document 1509.↩