British Ambassador Sir Oliver Franks today canceled an appointment he had made earlier with President Truman. Well-informed sources here believe the interview had been requested by the British diplomat to discuss recent developments in Palestine. Sir Oliver informed Acting Secretary of State Robert A. Lovett over the week-end that Britain “may become involved in a war at the side of the Arab nations against the Jews,” reports here said.
There was no explanation from the White House regarding Franks’ action. Presidential press secretary Charles G. Ross stated that no further appointment had been requested.
Meanwhile, official Washington was keeping mum today on a report from London that Sir Oliver told Secretary Lovett that the British feared reported Israeli “invasions” of Egypt might lead Britain into war on the Arab sides State Department press officer Michael J. McDermott said: “I cannot say a word on Palestine,” when reporters asked him for Department comment on the report.
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