U.S. ANXIOUS FOR BRITISH TO STAY IN PALESTINE

Grey River Argus, 27 March 1948, Page 5

U.S. ANXIOUS FOR BRITISH TO STAY IN PALESTINE

Lest War Resuits from Partition (Rec. 6.40) NEW YORK, March 25 Keliaoie United Nations’ sources report that special U.S. State Department emmisaries are now in London trying to negotiate for British support or an American icr a United Nations' trusteeship over Palestine, and that Britain has reacted tavouraoiy, so tar. The United Press says: This report nas du re-tailed with a theory of many observers at Lake Success that, the American tormula for the junking of partition has hinged largely on a hope that Britain could be persuaded to extend its deadline tor leaving Palestine. President Truman nas indicated that the United States nas abandoned partition lor the time being but still regards it as a suitable long term plan. Shortly before the Security Council met yesterday tne American delegation announced that the United States would not introduce at that session the resolution requesting a special session of the General Assembly to consider the American proposal lor a trusteeship instead oi partition. A spokesman said tne resolution would be moved later. In the Council yesterday it was difficult at first to gel speakers on the Palestine issue. General McNaughton (Canada) finally read a briei statement that Canada Was not prepared to declare herself on the American trusteeship proposal until there was some evidence ot. agreement thereon between the Jews ana tne Arabs.

IVI. Parodi (Stance) said the trusteeshi proposal would give a new opportunity for conciliation, but France was unable now to pronounce tier. 1 u lor or against the plan. Dr Abba Hillel Silver (Jewish Agency) officially notified the Council of the Palestine Jews' decision lo establish a Jewish State on March 16. Mahmoud Fawzy Bey (Egypt) immediately challenged tne declaration. The council adjourned the deouu until March 30. It is said the United States is not sure that its proposal to call the General Assembly is a sound one. Smaller Powers are not prepared to support the American trusteeship plan unless they can be sure in advance that it can'be carried out. a Jewisn Agency spokesman stated that the announcement that the agency will proclaim a Jewish State in Palestine on May 16 —the day alter the British mandate ends —was within the framework of the United Nations partition decision of November 29, x 947, which stui stood. The agency was proceeding to establish machinery for taking over under United Nations’ authority. There was no fresh departure. GeneiN, Marshall told _ a closed session of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that the United States decided to reverse its stand on partition because it feared it would start another world war. The abandenement of partition might avert the need lor the maintenance or a large international force in Palestine, tsr,iain might relent- in her decision to surrender the mandate and withdraw.