U.S. NOT NOW CERTAIN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 68, Issue 140, 25 March 1948, Page 3

U.S. NOT NOW CERTAIN

Success of Trusteeship Scheme BACKING OF SMALLER POWERS LACKING (N.Z.P.A.— Copyright). (Rec. 12.30) NEW YORK, March 24. Shortly before the Security Council met to-day the American delegation announced that the United States would not introduce at to-day’s session the resolution requesting a special session of the General Assembly to consider the American proposal for trusteeship instead of partition for Palestine.

The spokesman last night said the resolution would be moved to-day. When the council met it was difficult at first to get speakers on the Palestine issue.

General McNaughton (Canada) finally read a brief statement saying that Canada was not prepared to declare herself on the American trusteeship proposal until there was some evidence of agreement thereon between the Jews and Arabs.

M. Parodi (France) said i|ie trusteeship proposal would give a new opportunity for conciliation, but France was unable now to pronounce herself for or against the plan. Dr. Abba- Hillel Silver (Jewish Agency) officially notified the council of Palestine Jews’ decision to establish a Jewish State on May 16. Mahmoud Fawzy Bey (Egypt) immediately challenged the declaration. The council adjourned the debate until March 30. Reuter’s correspondent says the Palestine problem is still extremely confused, but two facts appear to emerge clearly. The first is that the United States is no longer certain that its proposal to call the General Assembly is a sound one, and second, the smaller Powers are not prepared to support the American trusteeship plan unless they can be sure in advance that it can be carried out.