PALESTINE TALKS IN LONDON

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 113, 6 February 1939, Page 9

PALESTINE TALKS IN LONDON

Full, Frank Discussion In Prospect (British Official Wireless.) (Received February 5, 7.30 p.m.) RUGBY, February 4. The British delegation, which will take part in the Palestine talks, beginning in London on Tuesday, consists of the Prime Minister, Mr. Chamberlain, the Foreign Secretary, Lord Halifax, ■the Colonial Secretary, Mr. Malcolm MacDonald, and Parliamentary Under Secretaries at the Foreign and Colonial Office, but it is not expected that Mr. Chamberlain or Lord Halifax will be in regular attendance after the opening of the meetings. The day-to-day work of the Brittish delegation will fall principally on Mr. Malcolm MacDonald, assisted. by Mr. R. A. Butler and the Marquess of Dufferin and Ava.

The Palestine talks in London will be conducted in two series of discussions, one between representatives of the British Government and the delegations of Palestine Arabs and the neighbouring Arab States, and the other between British representatives and the Jewish delegates. The discussions will proceed independently, but as far as practicable they will be kept parallel. Thh Prime Minister, at the opening sessions, will welcome each set of delegates, who from the outset will meet separately. It is known that the British Government will in no way restrict the scope of the discussions. It is bound by its obligations under the mandate, but it will not prevent discussion on either the abolition or amendment of the mandate, and full and frajik discussion of the whole subject is in prospect. The Australian Associated Press says that the strongest endeavours failed to persuade the Palestinian Arabs to sit down with the Jews at the gon fereuce. table, hence' the necessity for two separate conferences. The views of one side will be conveyed to the other bj' messengers.