U.S. MARINES FOR PALESTINE

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25389, 12 January 1948, Page 7

U.S. MARINES FOR PALESTINE

WASHINGTON DENIES REPORTS USE OF TROOPS TO GUARD CONSULATE LONDON, January 9. The United States Department of State denied to-day that the United States had ever asked permission from either the British or the Palestine Government to send United States Marines to Palestine. The department added that reports from London to that effect probably arose from informal discussions between United States officials and the Palestine Government about the possibility of sending marines to guard the United States Consulate in Jerusalem, but no decision had been reached.

Reuter's diplomatic correspondent reported: “It is authoritatively learned in London that the United States Consul-General in Palestine has asked for permission for a small number of United States Marines to be landed for consular guard duty. There is so far no information on whether the Palestine -Government has agreed, although the attitude in London is that it would be normal procedure for United States troops to perform guard duties in these troubled times.”

Rumours that Marines were to be landed in Palestine brought an official Arab protest.

The Arab Office in London said that there were strong rumours that Britain had agreed that United States Marines could be landed in Palestine to protect American institutions. The Arab Office would consider such an agreement a very serious breach of Britain’s undertaking to exercise undivided responsibility in Palestine and maintain the status quo until the mandate was relinquished. This action, it was stated, would open the door to foreign military intervention under Britain’s protection letting in those who were declared supporters of the Zionist cause.