White House Press Release, Statement by President Harry S. Truman

871 IMMEDIATE RELEASE OCTOBER 4, 1946 STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT I have learned with deep regrot that the meetings of the Palestine Conforence in London have been adjourned and are not to be resumed until December 16, 1946. In the light of this situation it is appropriate to examino the record of the Adminis- tration's efforts in this field, efforts which have been supported in and out of Congress by members of both political parties, and to state my views on the situation as it now exists. It will be recalled that when Hr. Earl Harrison reported on September 29, 1945, concerning the condition of displaced persons in Europe, I immediately urged that stens be taken to relieve the situation of these ersons to the extent at least of admitting 100,000 Jews into Palestine. In response to this suggestion the British Government invited the Government of the United States to cooperate in setting up a joint Anglo-American Committee of Inquiry, an invitation which this Government was happy to accept in the hope that its participation would help to alloviato the situation of the displaced Jews in Eurove and would assist in finding 2 solution for the difficult and complex problem of Palostine itself. The urgency with which this Government regarded the matter is reflected in the fact that a 120-day limit was set for the completion of the Committee's task. The unanimous report of the Anglo-inerican Committee of Incuiry was made on April 20, 1946, and I was gratified to note that among the recommendations contained in the Report was an endorsement of my previous suggestion that 100,000 Jews be admitted into Falestine. The Administration immediately concerned itself with devising ways and means for transporting the 100,000 and caring for them upon their arrival. With this in mind, experts were sont to London in June, 1946 to work out provisionally the actual travel arrangements, The British Government cooperated with this group, but inado it clear that in its view the report must be considered as a whole and that the issue of the 100,000 could not be considered separately. on June 11 I announced the establishment of a Cabinet Committee on Palestine and Related Problems, composed of the Secretaries of of State, War and Treasury, to assist we in considering the recommendations the Anglo-American Committee of Inquiry. The Alternates of this Cabinet Committee, headed by Ambassador Henry F. Grady, departed for London on July 10, 1946, to discuss with British Government represent- atives how the Report night best be implemented. The Alternates submitted on July 24, 1946, a report, commonly referred to as the Morrison lead plan, advocating a schene of provincial autonomy which might ultimately to E bi-national state or to partition. However, opposition to this plan developed among nombers of the major political parties in the United States - both in the Congress and throughout the country. In accordance with the principle which I have consistently and tried to follow, of having a maximum degree of unity within the country I between the parties on major elements of American foreign policy, could not give Ly support to this plan. I have, nevertheless, maintained my door interest in the matter and have repeatedly made known and have urged. that stops be to Palestine. taken at the earliest possible momont to admit 100,000 Jowish refugees TRU MAN "NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND (OVER) RECORDS SERVICE COVERING Preservation Copy