Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, The Near East and Africa, Volume VII

867N.01/7–2646

Record of Teletype Conference Between Washington and London¹⁹

secret

Washington, July 26, 1946—1:28 p.m.

[Here follows record of the incoming conversation from London, primarily an amplification of telegram 7030, printed supra. The portion here printed is “outgoing” to London.]

What did you do to secure British consent to starting 100,000 immigration immediately instead of starting when plan agreed to?

My view is that plan is all right as basis for negotiation but it commits us to many things and in view of President’s repeated statements as to 100,000 immigration we could not agree unless immigration plan started. We would not expect large numbers first few months but unless there is assurance of starting immediately we could not agree and wish you would so advise British officials.

We can appreciate British position. Nevertheless after the stand that the President has taken we do not see how we can enter into any arrangement which would prevent us from continuing to take the position that the 100,000 should move without awaiting for agreement on part of Arabs and Jews. That agreement might be delayed for months or years, and we would have to be silent.

If British have made such commitments to Arabs and Jews it does not seem to me that we are committed to a similar policy. Any arrangement that might be made between us and the British should leave us free to insist on the transfer of the 100,000 beginning at once. We feel that we should be able to announce that we have not abandoned the position taken by the President in this regard.

I understand British position but I feel that President cannot well recede from his position. All parts of program should proceed simultaneously but President’s position has been that 100,000 immigration was to start immediately and he has so stated publicly time and again. Trouble with British plan is immigration never starts unless they get acquiescence of Jews and Arabs.²⁰

[In remainder of outgoing part of conversation, Mr. Byrnes requested that Messrs. Grady, Gaston, and Dorr meet him in Paris on July 29 and stated he would advise Mr. Bevin that there had not been sufficient time to consider the plan and make a recommendation to President Truman.]

19. The participants in Washington were Secretary Byrnes and Mr. Henderson; those in London were Ambassador Harriman, Mr. Grady, and Mr. Pinkerton (on detail from Jerusalem to serve on Mr. Grady’s staff).
20. In telegram 7082, July 27, 1946, noon, Ambassador Harriman stated: “Re teletype conversation with Secretary Byrnes last night, I am convinced President can rely on the good faith of British Government to move with the greatest speed in the consultations. … British can see the solution of the problem of Jewish immigration only through their provincial plan. … I know British are as anxious for speed as we are.” (867N.01/7–2746)