JERUSALEM DIVIDED INTO COMPARTMENTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 February 1947, Page 5

JERUSALEM DIVIDED INTO COMPARTMENTS

Extraordinary Precautions In Palestine (Recd. 2 p.m.) ' LONDON, February 9. Jerusalem is now divided into compartments more watertight than pre-war foreign concessions in Chinese cities, says The Times Jerusalem correspondent. The cordoned southern section has been almost emptied of traffic. Government officials are somewhat listlessly moving about in the prescribed area. Even servants and messengers who work in or have to enter the area, must get a pass. It will be days before the thousands of passes required are issued.

The Palestine Government at present contemplated no substitute for the civil administration, but clearly in the situation created by the terrorists the Government had to prepare for all eventualities. The High Commissioner, General Sir Alan Cunningham, made this statement to Mr. Myerson and Eliezer Kaplan, Jewish Agency representatives. He told them the recent acquisition of buildings was purely a security measure. The inconvenience caused thereby was regretted, but the Government could not take the responsibility for its' necessity. General Cunningham asked, the

Jewish community to maintain tranquility while efforts were being made to solve the Palestine problem. . , The Government later announced that all passenger railway services between Jerusalem, Lydda, and Haifa would be cancelled as from February. 12, “owing to the security situation.” Mrs. Myerson, after seeing General Cunningham, convened the Jewish Agency executive for urgent consultations. She told the executive that General' Cunningham had reiterated his ultimatum, demanding the Jewish Agency’s co-operation.