The Gisborne Herald. IN WHICH IS INCORPORATED "THE TIMES". GISBORNE, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 1948. BIG FOUR SEEKING PALESTINE SOLUTION

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22588, 17 March 1948, Page 4

The Gisborne Herald. IN WHICH IS INCORPORATED "THE TIMES". GISBORNE, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 1948. BIG FOUR SEEKING PALESTINE SOLUTION

JN New York the Big Four Powers discussing Palestine—the United States, Russia, Franc* and China—appear to be arriving at some measure of agreement on a most difficult problem. They, realise the danger arising from the steady infiltration into Palestine of armed bands and well-equipped forces from neighbouring countries and have discussed preliminary steps for putting a stop to it. It is difficult to understand how this can be done without co-opera-lion from the Arabs and the Jews themselves. In the ease of the Arabs it is well enough known by now that their kinsmen and racial sympathisers outside the Holy Land arc preparing to rally in great strength in the crusade against partition, and it is doubtful whether they will be ready to accept even a modified form of partition providing for revision of the present suggested boundaries.

If the Big Four appeal to the Arabs and Jews to enter into a cease-fire pact meets with success, it would at least offer a breathingspace in the course of which the whole impasse could be discussed more calmly. It is essential that this more tranquil atmosphere should be introduced into the negotiations. The issue—a serious one for the Security Council and the whole of the United Nations — is bound up in the question as to whether the Arab threat to use force to prevent partition will cause the United Nations to back down and either abandon partition or continue to pursue it halfheartedly in a way that may end in disaster. The general opinion among competent observers is that, if the United States takes the lead in proposing an international force, there will be some chance of success in restoring order. But, for several reasons, America does not want to take the lead. These include unwillingness to antagonise the Arabs, who control valuable oil lands. The Americans also fear that the Russians would demand participation by their troops in any international force, while a third factor is that an offer to send American forces to Palestine ■would almost inevitably cause a public outcry in the United States. On the other hand, it is reported that heavy pressure has been put on the Administration to take a strong stand in favour of the Jews. If the Security Council does not supply troops for Palestine, the suggested alternatives may be: First, the United Nations may try to force the Jews and Arabs to agree on some solution. Secondly, a special session of the Assembly may be called to reopen the whole subject of Palestine. And, thirdly, the Palestine Commission may try a bold stroke and proclaim the existence of a provisional Jewish State which would have a legal right to buy arms, train an army and apply for U.N. membership, thus making any Arab attack a clearer case of aggression. The latest news suggests that the first course, or something very much akin to it, is being tried. If it is at all feasible, it would undoubtedly be the best solution of the problem.