ARAB FORCES ADVANCE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 68, Issue 186, 19 May 1948, Page 3

ARAB FORCES ADVANCE

Dominating: Position in Jerusalem AMERICAN PROPOSAL DEBATED (N.Z.lP.A—Copyright). (Rec. 12.15 p.m.) LONDON, May 18. Two sections of King Abdullah’s ! Transjordan Arab Legion this evening took over positions in the Jewish quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem, states a Transjordan Defence Ministry communique. ,

■* Arab Legion forces moved up to the northern side of Jerusalem and placed artillery in a dominating position. Reuter’s correspondent says the Arab Legion advanced into the Old City because Arab irregulars there were running out of ammunition. He 'adds that the nearest Arab Legion units to Jerusalem were last known to be at Collundfa airport north of the' city and outside the walls of the Old City. / The rest of Jerusalem is held by a combined force of rnaijy thousands of Haganah, Irgun and Stern Gang fighters who are themselves cut off from contact with the main Jewsh forces, estimated at 50,000, which are on the coastal plain around Tel-Aviv; The British United Press Haifa correspondent says the old walled city of Acre, which surrendered to the Jews has been festering with typhoid for weeks. An odour of death and accumulated filth bun over the city (when a white flag went-up; and Haganah warily entered. , f It is estimated that 4000 Arabs remain in; the city. \ Protest to Arabs

Mtahe Shertok’s cablegram to the Security Council also stated that the Armenian Patriarch had informed a ‘Jewish Agency liaison officer.that armed Arabs had forced their way into the Patriarchate building, which is within the city Avails, against protests. The place was holy, and they were using the premises as a. base for an attack on the Jewish quarter.

The acting-Municipal Commissioner, Pablo Azarate, was informed and protested vigorously to the Arabs, who nevertheless continued the attack.

King Abdullah of Transjordan cabled the Security Council to-day protesting against a Jewish mortar-shell falling within the mosque compound in front of the dome above the Sacred Rock. Kin gAbdullah added: “Thanks to the Almighty, the shell caused no damage.” Meanwhile, the Security Council debated the American proposal to call a halt to the war.

During the discussion of a series of questions which the-United States suggested should be put to the Jews and Arabs, speakers strongly attacked the legality of the Jewish State. Faris el Khoury (Syria) claimed the United States had blundered in recognising the Israel Government. Mr, Warren Austin (United States) retorted that no nation could question the United States’ right to recognise Israel. Settlements Occupied A Syrian Army source stated that regular troops on the north-eastern front completed the occupation of Samakh and four neighbouring Jewish settlements at the southern end of the Sea of Galilee. / Reports from the central front indicate that the Arab Legion, with little opposition, is establishing its sections on a broad.front, from Avhich a co-ordinated drive could be mdde to the Mediterranean coast, which the Jews hold. The* Arab Legion has fanned but along a line between Nablus and Hebron, north and south of Jerusalem, bringing all roads leading into the Hply City Avithin range of its fieldguns. ’ / , i “The Times” special correspondent Avith the Arab Legion says keen, alert troops carried out the advance into Palestine speedily and efficiently. The presence of Arab State armies heightened the Palestinian Arab morale.

The correspondent said the- breakdown in communications in Palestine since May 14 would, make the verification of news reports difficult. Additional handicaps are the Arabs’ irrepressible optimism, resulting in exaggerated accounts of Atab achievements. Reporters in some Jewish areas are convinced Haganah sources altered their stories.

In Haifa 3000 more British troops and police boarded the transport ship Empress of Australia, which is expected to leave to-night. King Abdujjlah yesterday conferred the high Arab,title of Pasha on Fawzi £1 Kawakji, commander of the Arab Liberation Army in Palestine. y-, Last week King Abdullah said that as far as he was concerned the Liberation Army, which was an irregular Arab force, no longer existed. Tl]e two leaders conferred, and observers believe closer co-operation can be expected. j „ ... Fawzi’s forces have been fighting bitter street battles in the old city of Jerusalem, and Legion forces have Moved in to relieve them. Other units under Pawzi’s command have been engaging Jewish settlements in the Tulkarem area, on the Nablus-Haifa Road. ( f , ,Y' r Jewish‘Grip Being Broken Arab Legion -howitzers heavily and accurately pounded Haganah positions in the Jewish quarter and on the slopes of Montefiore from midafternoon to dusk, says, the correspondent of the Associated'Press within' the Old City of 1 Jerusalem,, who adds that the Jewish grip on Jerusalem is being broken. "The Arabs in the Old City, who until mid-day' to-day suffered under Jewish mortar fire, are almost tearfully joyful that the Legion has turned the tables. ✓ Heavy casualties resulted from a direct hit on a crowded civilian bus station in the centre of Tel-Aviv during a dive-bombing attack late in the afternoon. t The authorities stated that 41 were killed and 60 wounded ,in the bus station. , The dive-bomber made’‘five dives over the centre of the city, each time releasing fragmentation bombs at a low altitude. The bus station was smashed open and the area in front of it was strewn with dead, including women and children. * Civilians said the plane bore green Egyptian markings. Another plane attacked the district just outside ,TelAviv. In occupying the Old City, Arab infantry took up positions almost adjoining Jewish machine-gun nests. The Legionaires marched over the cabblestones of the “Way of Sorrow”

and past the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The Old City is shell-marked, but shrines such as the Holy Sepulchre are undamaged. A communique issued in Bagdad states that Iraqi planes bombed the villages of Ashdot, Yaakov, Amkin, Kaukad and Beit Josef, in the Beisan area, “inflicting heavy losses.” Iraqi forces continue to advance, and occupied Kaukab and the surrounding hills after heavy shelling.