7. Editorial Note
On December 6, Sir Gerald Templer, Chief of the British Imperial Staff, accompanied by Michael Rose, Head of the Levant Department of the Foreign Office, arrived in Amman for discussions with King Hussein and Jordanian officials. The visit, which lasted until December 14, was motivated primarily by Britain’s desire to facilitate Jordan’s early adherence to the Baghdad Pact. According to British Embassy representatives in Washington, Templer was authorized to offer the Jordanians a revision of the Anglo-Jordanian treaty and additional military aid as incentives for adherence. (Circular telegram 373 to Amman, December 5; Department of State, Central Files, 780.5/12–555)
Although, according to Rose, Hussein adopted a “constructive attitude” toward Jordan’s joining the pact, West Bank members of the Cabinet insisted that Egypt be consulted before any decision was made. The government of Prime Minister Said Mufti, already weak and, in the words of the Embassy in Amman, “torn by dissension between east and west bank ministers”, was forced to resign. (Telegram 2510 from London, December 16; Ibid., 780.5/12–1655, and telegram 274 from Amman, December 14; Ibid., 785.00/12–1455) On December 14 King Hussein charged Haza al-Majali, former Minister of the Interior and Vice-Premier, with the task of forming a new cabinet. On December 15, Mallory reported from Amman that Majali was having difficulty securing West Bank cooperation in the new government as a result of the local feeling that he had “sold out” to the British on the Baghdad Pact. “Cleavage between west and east bank elements continues”, the Ambassador observed, “and civil disturbances may result.” (Telegram 276 from Amman; Ibid., 785.00/12–1555)
On December 16, extensive rioting erupted in various parts of Jordan in both the West and East Banks.