Palestine Situation Takes Turn For Worse

Chronicle (Levin), 13 April 1948, Page 5

Palestine Situation Takes Turn For Worse

/ Received Monday, 7.0 p.m. . LONDON, April 12. Fighting has intensified round Jerusalem, reports the Daily Telegraph's Jerusalem correspondent. The Arabs have Iirought strong reinFoi'cemerits into the arca west of the city where the battle for Mount Castel is raging. The passenger train service between Palestine and Egypt was ,$usp£nd?dlm Suiiday until iur.ther notfe the blowing up 5by 'iuvfifejhv terroiists twi£R iii tHie pa^'few' weehs, . 6f the Cairollaifa express;. .-- ' : ,v.- / - • ;V; The situation in Palestine during the weekend has taken a marked turh for the worse. Feelings' have become even more embittered and hopes of a truce, unless dictated by influenees outside the country, seem very remote, the correspondent added. The massacre at Deir Yassim illustrated the extent to which the Government was now Unahi e to exercise its authority. Although the outrage occurred on Friday within.. three mfles of the High Commissioner's residence and army headquarters, the Government has not been able to send official representatives or troops into Deir Yassim. » Arabs using French 75 's fired 40 shells into Jerusalem 's western suburbs— in places only halt a mile from the Holy Hepulchre. The Jews late last night were evaeuating people from houses and institut.ions in the 'shelled areas. Big crowds gathered at first aid stations and hospitals. * The Haganah claimed to have occupied Castel village on Mount Castel, again yesterday Arab resumption of attacks on its defences followed the reoccupation..