Memorandum from Samuel Rosenman to President Harry S. Truman

THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON October 17, 1945 MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT. I have talked with Secretary Byrnes today about Palestine and his proposed statement for you to make. I presented my views, but they have not been at all per- suasive. The Secretary adheres to the views expressed to you by him heretofore. For obvious reasons, it is very embarrassing for me to be in disagreement with the State Department on this particular question. I really think that you should have someone else here in the White House handle it - and hope you will. However as long as you have asked me to thus far, I wish to express to you the views which I expressed to Secretary Byrnes today: (1) In view of the fact that you have not taken any position orally or in writing which would support President Roosevelt's letter of April 5th, I think that you should definitely not make the statement proposed. I think it is proper for you to take the position that the admission of 100,000 Jews into Palestine is not a "change in the basic situation". There are now approximately 600,000 Jews and 1,200,000 Arabs in Palestine. For that reason, 100,000 additional Jews would not be a change in the basic situation. (2) You should make it clear that the most that Presi- dent Roosevelt stated was that he would "consult" with the Arab and Jewish leaders, but that there was no intention on his part that he would have to obtain their consent before he took action. (3) Some further action should be taken by you immediately with respect to Atlee SO as to show that you are really pressing the British for the additional certificates. (4) That you or the Secretary of State call the Jewish and Arab leaders into conference at an early date, and "consult" with them SO that the promise of consultation will be fulfilled ARCHIVES AND SERVICE''