Memorandum from Acting Secretary of State Robert Lovett to President Harry S. Truman, with Attachments

DECLASSIFIED TOP SECRET E. O. 11652, Sec. 3(E) and 5(D) or (E) Dept. of State letter, NARS Date 26-25 By NLT- He DEPARTMENT OF STATE WASHINGTON April 1, 1948 MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT Subject: Telegram from Ambassador Butler Regarding Dr. Evatt's Attitude on Palestine The attached telegram from Ambassador Butler at Canberra is concerned with the Palestine question, British relations with the Arab States and Foreign Minister Evatt's views thereon. The facts as stated by Dr. Evatt with regard to so called "secret" agreements between Great Britain and the Arab States appear to be somewhat distorted. The British, as you have been made aware, have been attempting with our knowledge and approval to strengthen and extend their treaty relationships with the Arab States providing for certain joint defense arrangements. They have also been making representations to certain Arab States urging moderation on the question of Palestine, in an endeavor to reduce the disorders prior to the relinquishment of the mandate on May 15. It is perhaps this combination of factors which give rise to the allegation of Dr. Evatt. It should be added that our representatives in New York have found Dr. Evatt to be somewhat erratic and difficult to deal with, and this report should be treated in the light of our past experience. Dr. Evatt recently made public statements critical of our Palestine policy (copy attached) , and the sudden reversal of position repre- sented in this telegram is, therefore, rather difficult to understand. It would seem desirable to await developments regarding the proposed special session of the General Assembly before attempting to assess the true value of Dr. Evatt's offer of cooperation. The Department is preparing for your information a summary of overall reaction from abroad on our proposals. Since the TOP SECRET