-- W•■■•■■•■■• 11 1VPINEMI

a.

Truman and the Dramatic Pre-Israel Year of 1947

By JOSEPH POLAKOFF

statement would be issue d cated he did not wish the by any
unfriendliness to- reasons for Arab resentment derly, peaceful and prosper-
I b y Mr. Dewey" (New Vor k U
.
S. exposed individually. ward Arabs or lack of ap- at the UNGA decision is con- ous world should at this
Gov. Thomas E. Dewe
y On Nov. 24, only five days preciation of their concern cern lest the Zionists intend juncture allow themselves to
President Harry S. Truman whom Truman upset in th e before the General Assembly in matter. U. S. government eventually to use their state
be disrupted over the ques-
1948 elections).
trod a firm, if careful, poli-
voted for partition , Truman took position because:
as a base for territorial ex• tion of Palestine."
tical road toward the immi-
"I think every country in told Lovett at the White
"(a) After reviewing state- pansion in the Middle East
Therefore, the U. S. gov-
gration into Palestine of Jew- the world ought
to know House that he would be most ments and expressions of at the expense of the Arabs,"
ish survivors of the Nazi this." Bevin declared, ac - reluctant to see the United policy by responsible Ameri- Lovett's message told Tuck ernment was "convinced,"
death camps and for parti- cording to the State Depart - States on a commission to can officials, resolutions of to inform Farouk that "it is the message concluded, that
tion of Palestine to create a ment's record. "The House implement partition in Pales- Congress, and party plat- the conviction of the U. S. "acquiescence on the part of
Jewish state in the after- of Commons cheered Bevin's tine. According to Lovett's forms of last 30 years it government, based on con- the Arab states in the UNGA
math of World War II.
attack on Mr. Truman's tac- memorandum, "The Presi- came to conclusion that un- versations with responsible decision on Palestine, diffi-
The President was beset tics."
dent reiterated his original less there was some unanti- Zionist leaders, that they cult though such acquiescence
may be, would remove Pal-
by powerful opposition both
Secretary of State George position," that the United cipated factor in situation have no expansionist designs
at home and abroad. Within C. Marshall, who succeeded States would participate in the trend of public opinion and that they are most an- estine as a disturbing influ-
the State Department itself Byrnes, had told Bevin on enforcing a plan for Pales- and policy based thereon xious to live with the Arabs ence in international affairs."
a strong array of top officials Feb. 21 that "an increase tine only as a member of practically forced it to sup- in the future on cordial But that was not the course
history took.
fought every move that in the number of displaced the United Nations and joint- port partition.
terms and to establish with
would enhance the Zionist European Jews into Palestine ly with other members. It
Truman Urged Amity
them
relations
of
a
mutually
•(b) Majority report of
position toward both Jewish during the next few months would not be a protagonist." UNSCOP (United Nations advantageous character."
JERUSALEM (JTA) — It
immigration and a homeland. would have a beneficial ef-
was recalled here that in a
The President also
ex- Special Committee on Pales- Lovett's message added:
In London, British Foreign fect among Jews in the dis- pressed the wish that the
message
on July 11, 1966, at
tine) recommending parti- "If at a later time persons
Minister Ernest Bevin, whose placed persons centers in U. S. delegation at the tion did
represent new factor or groups should obtain con- the dedication of the Harry
hostility to Jews and a Jew- Europe and would meet with United Nations not use but one
supporting Jewish trol of the Jewish state who S. Truman Center for the
ish state increased as his public approval in this coun- threats or improper pressure state.
have aggressive designs Advancement of Peace at the
ability to control events in try (U. S.). It might make of any kind on other delega-
"(c) Public opinion in U.S . against their neighbors, the Hebrew University, Truman
Palestine diminished, bitterly both Arabs and Jews more Lions to vote for partition,
urged better Israeli-Arab re-
stirred by mistreatment of United States would be pre-
assailed Truman privately willing to look for a com- Lovett wrote. "We were will- Jews
lations. A longtime associate,
in Europe and by in- pared firmly to oppose such
and publicly. Arab leaders promise solution." But Bevin ing to vote for that report
David Noyes, said of the
tense desire of surviving aggressiveness in the United
threatened American inter- was adamant, and immigra- (partition) only because it Jews to
- go to Palestine Nations and before world former Chief Executive:
ests in thir countries, even tion ships, including the was a majority report," Loy- strongly
supported establish- opinion." Tuck further was "President Truman ca me
as now, if the President per-
here in 1948 and he has
"Exodus," ran the British ett reported Truman as say- ment of Jewish state.
instructed to tell Farouk that
sisted in supporting Zionist blockade to Palestine.
ing. The vote in the General
"(d) Troubled situation in the American government never left. And he's never
aims.
going
to leave." Israeli Pre-
At the State Department, Assembly Nov. 29, 1947, was Palestine
accompanied
by "expresses the most sincere
Nevertheless,
Tr u m an Loy Henderson, director of 33-13 with 10 abstentions and British
decision to withdraw hope" that the "governments mier Levi Eshkol said at the
•
pressed for both of his ob- the Office of Near Eastern
Siam absent. made it evident that solution of the Arab countries will not same ceremony that Tru-
jectives. Soon after the war and African Affairs, consist-
Why did Truman take the of this difficult problem
attempt by armed force, or man's recognition of Israel
ended in Europe in 1945, the ently opposed both Truman course he did? A secret mes- could not be
11 minutes after its procla-
postponed."
will not encourage the use
President sent Earl G. Harri- objectives. His attitude crys- sage, telegraphed by Lovett
Because Arabs alleged U.S. of armed force, to prevent mation as a state had
son as his representative to talized in a top secret mem- to U.
S. Ambassador S. pressure in New York, the the carrying out of that de- "kindled a flame in Israel's
the displaced persons centers orandum to Undersecre• Pinkney Tuck in Cairo, which message
spirit which is still burning."
took pains to point cision" by
in Germany to provide him tary of State Robert A. Truman himself initiated, out that the U.S. delegation said it was the UNGA. Lovett
In his message, Truman
"my
own
hope"
with a first-hand report on Lovett on Nov. 24, 1947. On
provides some indications. to the UN "was instructed that Egypt "not only will set said of the center: "Here
them. To his consternation, that day, Lovett went to the The message, dated Dec. 26, that
it should explain U.S. an example in restraint, but we will give serious consid-
Harrison found that many White House, in Marshall's 1947, a month after partition, reasons
eration to any new practical
for supporting the will use its great influence
Jews were still behind absence in London, to receive
approach that could help to
was for Tuck to use in ex- majority report but should with its sister states to pre-
barbed wire in the former Truman's latest Instructions
plaining America's position not exert pressures on other vail upon them not to resort advance the cause of peace.
Nazi concentration camps. on Palestine as a showdown to King Farouk. A similar delegations. So far as
All will be welcome. There
U.S. to actions of a character
The President then urged the on partition drew near in the message
are no restrictions as to na-
also was trans- government has determined which may bring discredit
British government to admit United Nations General As- mitted for Saudi Arabia's bough
tional
origin, ideological com-
no Undue
was to the Arab people."
100,000 of them immediately sembly.
King Ibn Saud. According to
Upon
n other
The message, written 25 mitment or religious differ-
into Palestine but Bevin re-
ences."
Henderson asked Lovett to "Foreign Affairs," the ap- by U.S. governmental offI. years ago when the winds
fused because, he contended,
responsible to the Ex- of the cold war were begin- Acheson Explained
read "in full" a "personal proach Tuck was instructed Lia ult s ive
•
it would cause an upheaval
telegram" Henderson said he to use included the follow-
ning to chill diplomatic rela- Truman's Stand
among the Arabs, and the
had received from Hamdi al ing:
The message also instruct- lions between the U. S. and
WASHINGTON (JTA)—In
"1) U.
British needed tranquility in
S. government de- ed Tuck to tell Farouk that the Soviet Union, also point- a television interview several
Pachachi, who was prime
the Middle East for strategic
minister of Iraq when Hen- cided after anxious and sober "in any event it is consid- ed out that "it seems hardly years ago, Dean Acheson,
and economic reasons.
derson was the U. S. minis- t consideration to support par- ered that the vote of the necessary to point out that who was secretary of state
The year 1947 was pivotal
ition in the UNGAdespite UNGA reflected the belief there are in the world today when Truman was in the
ter there. Henderson they
for Jews, Arabs, British and a
dded, according to "Foreign realization of how strongly that partition was the best powerful aggressive forces White House, explained why
the United Nations in Pales- Affairs":
opposed Arab states were to of the solutions of the Pales- which create
hatreds, pro- his boss had taken such a
tine. The British desire by
establishment of Jewish state tine problem which were ad- mote
"I feel it again to be my
violence, and result in strong pro-Israel stand be-
that time was to be rid of
in Palestine. Its support of vanced."
duty
to
point
out
that
it
chaos.
It
would
be tragic if fore as well as after the
their mandate in Palestine
seems to me and all the partition was not motivated
Cognizant that "one of the the forces striving for an or- establishment of the Jewish
but to maintain good rela-
State. He maintained that
tions with the Arabs in their members of my office ac-
Truman was probably moti-
quainted with the Middle
withdrawal. In that crucible,
vated by "two considerations
East
that
the
policy
which
Truman frequently took a
— one which be avowed very
personal hand in directing we are following in New
clearly and the other one
BY DAVID SCHWARTZ
wrote a song about home grants from Russia
the U. S. effort toward York at the present time is
used to which
(Copyright 1973, 5TA, Inc.)
he did not avow very
contrary to the interests of
which
proved
to
be
his
great-
curse poor Columbus. "A
meeting the objectives he
Sarah Isaacs was a nice
the United States and will
est success. You have prob- klug zu Columbus," they clearly."
had outlined more than a
Jewish lady who lived in
eventually involve us in in-
ably heard the song. It is would say. What they were
The first consideration,
year earlier.
America a long time ago,
called "Home, Sweet home." really saying was that there Acheson said, was the war-
Part of the dramatic his- ternational difficulties of so Her family fought in the You
see,
Sara
Isaacs
grave
a
character
that
the
was mar- was an ache in their hearts time Jewish refugee who
tory of that year appears in
American Revolution and she Med to a Mr.
reaction through the world,
Payne, so her for their old homeland.
"couldn't go back to Russia
hitherto
secret,
top-secret
had a boy named John. He
son
was
John
Howard
Payne.
as
well
as
in
this
country,
The first critics of Zion- or Poland . . . couldn't go
and "eyes only" messages
was a good boy. He became
will be very strong."
The story of Sarah Isaacs ism, when Herzl wrote "The back to Germany where so
and memoranda just reveal-
a writer. He wrote for the comes to mind
many had been murdered."
when newspa- Jewish
"I wonder if the President
State," were
ed by the State Department,
the
Their resettlement was "our
newspapers.
He
been
m
e
pers
related the story of Mrs. Vienna wits whose favorite
in "Foreign Affairs 1947 of realizes," Henderson said in especially known for his writ- Perelman's son, Sid or S. J.
joke was, "Yes, Zionism is responsibility," Acheson con-
the United States" which his statement recorded in
logs in behalf of the Amer- Perelman. About a year ago, all
right, but I would prefer tinued, and Truman tried but
the department coincidentally the "Foreign Affairs" vol- ican
Indians.
He
wrote
many
or
was
it
two
years
ago,
he
to
be the attache
to the Zi- failed "to get our immigra-
published consonant with Is- ume, "that the plan which plays. He wrote about every- left New York,
s
a
yin
g,
onist
embassy in Vienna." tion laws made more lax."
rael's silver jubilee as a na- we are supporting for Pales. thing except home. Thetr
n he
"Goodby,
old
cit
y,
I
am
They
tine
leaves
The less-clearly
used
to
giggle
tion.
me a w anderer. He
loudly at
no force other beca
avowed
ay- leaving you. You took a little this crack. They thought it consideration, Acheson said,
According to "Foreign Af. than local enforcement or- bled abroad, lived in Lon-
boy
from
Providence,
R.
I.,
was so witty. But what they was Truman's "moral and
fairs," Bevin was so irritated ganizations for preserving don, moved to France,
to and gave him fame and for- were really saying
Morocco and so on.
was, how emotional" obligation to the
with Truman over immigra- order in Palestine."
tune, but goodby, I am go- can anyone leave dear old refugees following repeated
tion that in a speech on Feb.
Then, when he was far ing
Henderson also was bitter
to London. That's a nice Austria?
entreaties by Eddie
25, 1947, in the House of in his criticism of Ambassa- away, he seemed to have real-
/IV
Jacob-
quiet civilized place."
Nevertheless,
eople
are son, a friend from Truman's
Commons, he charged that dor Herschel Johnson, the alized for the first time that
But
now
Perelman
is
back,
continually
leavin
g . The Soy- haberdashery days and "a
once he had a home and he
the President had .. spo il ed ., chief U. S. spokesman, re- once
"It is true, you can iet Jewish poet, Yosef Ker- convinced Zionist," who
his efforts just as Bevin be- garding Palestine in the
walk the streets of London ler, who is now in Israel, "talked to the Predisent a
lieved his negotiations were United Nations. On Oct. 11,
Tel Aviv Living Costs safe. It's nice and quiet and tells of a joke currently pop- great deal about it." Jacob-
on the threshold of success. Johnson, acting on Presiden-
cultured there, but there is ular among
the Jews of Rus- son's ideas "appealed to the
Bevin disclosed that he had tial instructions, told the UN 24 Pct. Less Than NY
something in New York that swi u A Jew
w d io
is ask
k ed, "Wh at President very much,"
-,• pleaded in the previous year that the United States would
Ache-
UNITED NATIONS (ZINS) is missing in London. Lon- would
son said.
d you
if suddenly
with Secretary of State support the basic principles —A new United Nations sur-
don is too bland, too unex- was announced that
In the same television in-
any Jew
James F. Byrnes to dissuade of the majority plan which vey of the cost of living for
citing after you've been in could leave Russia without
the President from issuing Provided for
terview Acheson also com-
both partition international officials in 85
any hindrance?"
mented that "Anyone who
his demand on the 100,000 and immigration. Two days cities around the world shows
The Pilgrims were kicked "I would immediately cross
went
through the period be-
Jews but his pleas to Byrnes later, the Soviet Union also that Tokyo is the most expen- out of England,
but their old the border," the Jew an- fore the creation of the state
were futile. He was told, announced for partition.
sive of them all-17 per cent home was always in their sw,c;i'm
an
b
to
"and,
finding
of
Israel
and immediately
Sevin said in Commons, that
first
Truman worked cautiously above New York.
thoughts. They named the tr ee,
after too, as I did with Mr.
"if the statement on immi. within the framework of the
In Tel Aviv, living costs new American towns they
"Why would you do that?" Truman must
now be per-
gration was not issued by United Nations in advancing are 24 per cent cheaper than built, Boston, Worcester, etc., he is asked.
fectly clear that you can't
Mr. Truman, a competitive the Jewish cause and indi- In New York; in Cairo, 31 after the English towns they in
"To s a e vr o nni
id bb
le to g m
being
etan
impose anything on those
og
ulte
e
- Pe r c nt less; and in London, left,
48—Friday, Jan. 5, 1973
people. They won't accept
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 15 per cent less.
The first Jewish immi- is the reply.
imposition."

JTA, Jewish News
Washington Bureau Chief

Theme of the Ages: Craving for Home