PIPELINE HELD AS PISTOL AT HEAD OF AMERICA.

Chronicle (Levin), 23 February 1948, Page 5

PIPELINE HELD AS PISTOL AT HEAD OF AMERICA.

Reeeived Sundav, 8.5 p.m. * NEW TORK, Feb. 21. The Arab. Leag-ue has deculod. npt tft ! permifc any American companies to iay

uipelines across the territorv of its uemb.er c.ountries until the United otates policy toward Palestine partition : is ajtered, says the New York Times Jairo correspondent. Syria has refused co ratify the contract '\yith the A rakau- American Oil Coinpany. The agree- ; uent, signed six mo,nths ago, proyided tor one of the world 's longest pipelines terminating in Beirut, Lebanon, and offered Syria a loan of 60,00.0,000 dol lars to be repaid. from rovalties. Company officials indicated to' the Lebanese and Syrian Governments that the.v would renounce the contract if it was not signed yithin 30 davs, and take thc line through Egypt. However, inform ed souree^ have reported that Egypt had subscribed to the Arab League decision. Saudi Argbia also sultscribes Om does not include contracts alreadv operative. The Syrian Premier, JamilAIar &t\m Bey, will go to Arahia to confer with Iving Ibn Saud and try to ])ersuade him to. take puuitive steps against the American companies. The eorresp.ondenf says that although Egypt would like to have the pipeliue run through the c o.un try, King Earo.uk has been plaeed in a delicate positiop by Syria 's refusal and his acc'eptance would mean a serious split in the Arab League.