Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, Volume V, Part 2

867N.01/5–1048

The Secretary of State to the British Ambassador (Inverchapel)

secret

Washington, May 19, 1948.

Dear Mr. Ambassador: I appreciate the courtesy of your letter of May 10¹ with regard to the efforts which the High Commissioner at Jerusalem has made in recent days to secure a truce for the whole of Jerusalem.

The developments of the past week in Palestine have broadened the issue beyond merely the problem of Jerusalem, but have not lessened the anxiety of this Government for the preservation of the city and the Holy Places in Palestine.

Our efforts in the Security Council must now be centered on ways and means to maintain the peace in Palestine.

As for the suggestion in your final paragraph that this Government exert special pressure on the Jews to accept a truce for Jerusalem, I feel that such action will now become merged in the larger issue. This Government, however, will do its utmost to exert pressure on both the principal communities of Palestine in an endeavor to establish peace in that country.

Faithfully yours,

G. C. Marshall

1. No. G.96/—/48, not printed.