DELAYED DECISION

Evening Star, Issue 25994, 8 January 1947, Page 5

DELAYED DECISION

MARTIAL LAW IN PALESTINE HEW TERRORIST THREATS (Rec. 11.15 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 7. Cabinet will not make a definite decision on the imposition of martial law in Palestine until General Sir Alan Cunningham returns for further talks with officers on the spot, says Iteuter. Meanwhile the Cabinet discussions will be confined to means of inducing the Jews to participate in the London conference of January 21. Reuter’s Jerusalem correspondent says the illegal Jewish radio, “ Voice of Israel,” announced that any attempt to impose martial law in Palestine would have opposite results to those sought, in that it would increase tension and create a background suitable for terrorism. The head of the Jewish Agency political department, Moshe Shertok, said the Zionist Congress decision not to attend the London conference was reached . because- the conference had become linked in the public mind with the so-called Morrison scheme, which the Zionists regarded as unfavourable. Furthermore, the conference was not being held with a view to Jews and Arabs sitting around the same table. Therefore the Zionists considered that the British Government would have to make its own decision on Palestine. Reuter’s Paris correspondent says that Mr Bengurion said he intended going to Palestine on January 9 on “ a peace mission ” to try and prevent further outbreaks of terrorism. He will confer with Jewish leaders in London to-morrow.