Office of the Historian

501.BB Palestine/12–2848: Telegram

The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Holmes) to the Acting Secretary of State

secret
us urgent
London, December 28, 1948—2 p. m.

5377. According Burrows, deep concern regarding Negev fighting caused Bevin to hold series Foreign Office meetings over holiday weekend. Bevin was “disappointed” with Dept reaction to British appeal via British Ambassador Washington for US support for UK resolution SC (Dept’s 4755 [47571] December 26). British officials believe US attitude probably decided without benefit full text Mediator’s report which makes Israeli responsibility abundantly clear. (See General Riley’s report to CNO Washington, December 27.) Officials imagine that study latter may cause US to take firmer attitude since US will understand dangers of appeasement, while conflict continues. Officials also draw attention to strong line by US regarding Indonesian fighting.

2. Burrows said he thought US and UK are fundamentally in agreement regards getting into action existing machinery under November 4 and November 16 resolutions, particularly sub-committee established under SC November 4 order (paragraph 3(b) Dept’s 4757 December 26 to Paris for Jessup). Bevin is worried, however, by divergence with US re methods since UK feels strongly that only way to halt PGI which seems bent on expelling Egyptians (paragraph 1 Tel Aviv’s 339, December 24 to Dept2) is to place spotlight world opinion upon Israeli activities through new resolution of kind tabled by Beeley3 SC today. British view is that SC should not content itself with quietly getting existing machinery into action. PGI must have already discounted [Page 1696] effectiveness this machinery and instead of being given pause by it would be encouraged to believe its aggressive action would bring down on it nothing more persuasive than threat of action drafted in other circumstances and out of which PGI lawyers by obstruction should be able to talk themselves.

3. Burrows said Foreign Office has no information from British sources regarding progress of fighting beyond fact that it appears other Palestine fronts are quiet.

Sent Dept 5377, repeated Paris for Jessup 1075.

Holmes
  1. This was a repeat of telegram 4928 to Paris, December 26, p. 1691.↩
  2. Not printed, but see footnote 1 to memorandum of December 24, p. 1689.↩
  3. For text, see p. 1699.↩