Search JTA's historical archive dating back to 1923

U.S. Minister Instructed to Demand Release of American Jews Detained by Lebanese

May 23, 1948
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
Advertisement

The U.S. Government today Informed Lebanon that it will be compelled to view “seriously” any discrimination against American citizens by any government on the basis of race, color or creed. The American Minister to Lebanon Lowell Pinkerton, was instructed to demand the release of the American Jews who yesterday were forcibly taken off the S.S. Marine Carp at Beirut and transferred to a concentration camp at Baalbeck.

A Stats Department official revealed at a news conference that the Department sent instructions to the American Minister to Lebanon, Lowell Pinkerton, that in the event the American citizens removed from the Marine Carp had not been released, or if the Lebanese authorities detain in the future American citizens merely because they are Jewish, the Minister should inform the Lebanese Government that the Government of the United States considers that all bearers of American passports irrespective of race color, or creed are entitled to an equal extent to the protection of the U.S. Government.”

Pinkerton was also instructed to make it clear that the “United States Government must insist that governments of other countries do not discriminate against the bearers of American passports on the grounds of race, color, or creed and that the l United States Government would be compelled to view seriously any such discrimination against American citizens by any government.”

Recommended from JTA

Advertisement