Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, Volume V, Part 2

867N.01/5–948: Telegram

The Consul at Jerusalem (Wasson) to the Secretary of State

secret
urgent

Jerusalem, May 9, 1948—10 a. m.

566. Chief Secretary¹ informed me confidentially that their legal advisers had ruled that mandate will terminate at 12 o’clock midnight Friday May 14, and not on May 15 as is generally believed. High Commissioner and remaining officials of Palestine Government will depart afternoon May 14 for Haifa.

Chief secretary expects Trans-Jordan and other Arab states to invade Palestine on May 15 or 16 with objective to occupy Arab areas. He seemed positive that there would not be an attack in Jerusalem.

Wasson

1. Of the Palestine Government.