Jews And Arabs Poised On Edges Of Jerusalem

Chronicle (Levin), 27 April 1948, Page 5

Jews And Arabs Poised On Edges Of Jerusalem

(N.Z.P.A.-

-Reuter*

, Copyright)

Received Tuesday, 9.40 a.m. LONDON, April 2*6. . A major .battle for Jerusalem is shaping; with Jews arid Arabs both-mobilised on ihe Holy City's southern edges for zero hour at sundown today, when the last British troops evacuate Alamein camp, which -lies astride the JerusalemBethlehem Road. Agency eOrrespondents report that Jewish and Arab forces late today were poised around the camp awaiting the troops' departure. Armoured cars and infantry of King Abdullah's Arab Legion were in sandbagged positions with machine-guns trained on the camp gate 200 yards away. Two hundred yards in the other direction Haganah detachments were visible amidst a line of pine trees overlooking the camp. Many troops were digging in.

Despite repeated Haganah re-j quests not to do so, Irgun Zvaij Leumi resumed its off ensjve against , Jaffa this morning, using mortars: and small arms. The Arabs replied with counter mortar fire, which hit the outskirts of Tel Aviv." Bullets | smacked.into buildings along Tel; Aviv's main street, Alienby Road,: seuding shoppers scurrying to : shelter. ' | The Associated Press, Haifa cor-l respondent says that 140 Arab! isoners escaped from Acre Prisoni during a Jewish mortar bombard-, ment of Acre, whose population1 was swollen overnight by Arab rel'ugees from Haifa. The Jewish: bombardment, in which schooners; off the shore joined, continued for; five hours but only two buildings' in the city were reported as dam- ; aged and five people wounded.; British Army artillery checked the Jewish fire. The Times' Jerusalem correspon-: dent has pointed out that the attack. on Jaffa coincided with the second meeling of the three C-on-suls app jmted to the Truce Commission which is to report to UNO. The Gonsuls Have been advised that- 1 they may travei anywhere but they are hardly able to go anywhere or find anyone. They

| can formally contact the Jewish I Agency staff at Jerusalem but not , its leaders who are in Tel Aviv and : the Consuls may. vainly look in Palestine for an Arab who is prepared to speak without reference | to an outside country. , Commercial airline representa- : uives in Cairo announced that all flights to Palestine have been sus- | pended following the British with- ! drawal from Lydda airport. ! Three British soldiers were killed i in .a train wreck resulting from , rail sabotage near Ramle.