“PALESTINE WITHDRAWAL PLAN”

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22440, 22 September 1947, Page 5

“PALESTINE WITHDRAWAL PLAN”

BRITISH AGREEMENT REPORTED “PARTITION PROPOSALS ADOPTED” (10.30 a.m.) NEW YORK, September 21. Reliable sources report that the British Labour Party’s executive has voted to support the majority report of the United Nations’ Special Inquiry Committee on Palestine, including its recommendation for the partition of the Holy Land, says the New York Times. The British United Nations’ delegation had no comment to make on. the report tonight. The Times adds that it is believed the Labour Party’s executive’s decision calls for the quick withdrawal of British troops from Palestine and the end of the British mandate. The heavy occupation costs are reported to be one factor influencing the decision.

Three days ago the Labour Party’s political committee on foreign affairs decided overwhelmingly to approve the majority report. Question of Boundaries” , \ If the British Cabinet approves the Labour Party’s decision, it is expected to do so on certain conditions which are expected to deal mainly with the boundaries of the Arab and Jewish States, the report concludes. A London message states that the British Cabinet has decided that while Britain is willing to share her responsibility for administering Palestine_ the Government is determined that Britain cannot continue to carry the burden of the mandate in the present form. The Sunday Times political correspondent says a full brief has been sent to tne British delegation to the United Nations and it is expected that the subject will be discussed in the coming week. The Government is likely to set a time limit for the withdrawal of British troops, he adds. Some Ministers favour the immediate withdrawal of British troops. Other Ministers, however, hold that the maintenance of order Is a primary consideration and a responsibility that Britain cannot suddenly relinquish in default of other arrangements. “Job for United Nations" The political correspondent of Reuter, reporting similarly, adds that political observers interpret the qualified nature of the decisions as an in dication of Britain's desire of relinquishing responsibility merely by laying it in the United Nations’ lap. While therefore the course of action she desires to follow is indicated, her representatives at the United Nations are unlikely to announce cast-iron decisions that would destroy a sympathetic United Nations’ approach to the discussion. The Reuter correspondent in BeU'ut

says a conference of the Arab League's Political Committee issued a communique declaring that the Arabs would resist the enforcement of the recommendations for the partition of Palestine “by all effective means-” Such Arab action, it was stated, could not be regarded as lawless since the Zionists had often relied on moral and material help from foreign Governments.

The Prime Minister of Lebanon, Riad El Solh, who presided at the conference, said in self-defence the Arabs would wage a relentless war backed by Arab contributions in men, money ana arms.