FORMER U.S. SECRETARY ATTACKS PALESTINE PLAN

Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 5289, 30 December 1946, Page 7

FORMER U.S. SECRETARY ATTACKS PALESTINE PLAN

{ NEW YORK. j Mr. Harold L. Ickes has recommended that American engineers be sent into the Holy .Land to develop it as a home for both Jews and Arabs. The former U.S. Secretary of the Interior, in a speech prepared for the American Jewish Congress, assailed the American immigration policy and the British White Paper, which restricts Jewish immigration into Palestine. "A great opportunity presents itself," he said, "to advance, -or even to give, American money for the development of Palestine and the contiguous and adjoining areas. "Our nationals have great investments in the Middle East. Our human interests transcend even our investments. /'The two can be harnessed together so as to bring land development, education and higher standards of living to both the Jews of Palestine and the Arabs of Palestine and of Saudi Arabia. There is plenty of land, if properly developed, for all legitimate need." Declaring that the present United States policy was "to keep our door tightly locked, not only against political refugees, but, to the fullest extent possible, against all immigrants," Mr. Ickes said: — "It should he put into the recotd that, in response to a public suggestion from London that the doors of America be opened for some of these hapless Jews, President Truman did declare for such a national policy." He said he hoped this was not just a political manoeuvre. He predicted, however, that the U.S. Congress would refuse to let down the barj to admit the Jews to America.