867N.01/5–1346: Telegram
The Consul General at Jerusalem (Pinkerton) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 13—5:47 p.m.]
152. Chief Secretary41 informs me ship carrying about 1600 illegal immigrants from Black Sea due to arrive Palestine within 2 weeks and as all available certificates from quota for April–May as well as 300 from May–June quota have been used for Spezia immigrants situation will become very embarrassing. Govt has received reports that other immigrants have left or are about to leave from Greece and that entire tempo illegal immigration is being stepped up. He has no suggestion as to possible Govt action with regard to illegals in view of exhaustion of quotas to which they might be charged—Chief Secretary says illegal immigrants are not type whose entry is contemplated by Committee report but are potential reinforcements of illegal armies. He doubts whether admission 100,000 would have any effect upon illegal immigration.
- Of the Palestine Government.↩