BRITAIN AWAITS ARABS’ REPLY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22647, 26 May 1948, Page 5

BRITAIN AWAITS ARABS’ REPLY

(11.30 a.m.) LONDON, May 25. The position in Palestine was that extra time had been allowed for the Arabs to decide about the cease-fire, said the Foreign Secretary, Mr. Ernest Bevin, replying to Mr. Churchill in the House of Commons. “We are waiting to hear whether the Arab Governments agree,” he said“lnquiries are being made to confirm that the undertaking covers all the Jewish forces as on a previous occasion the Jews broke the cease-fire in Jerusalem, thus leading to the present fighting. “I will keep the House fully informed,” he added. Squadron Leader Segal (Labour), asked whether it was not a little hard to call upon the Arabs to cease fire after Britain had supplied them with arms. Mr. Bevin replied: “I ask the House not to prejudice the position. I think Squadron Leader Segal wants peace. Let us pursue it.” Reuter commenting on a New York report that Britain and the United States are negotiating a plan for Palestine peace, involving the recall of the British officers from the Arab Legion and the cessation of British military supplies to the Arab countries under treaties, the Foreign Office spokesman said that no bilateral negotiations were taking place. Britain would make her own dec! sions on Palestine but would continue contacts with America. Britain would stand by her treaties with the Arab states unless the United Nations declared those obligations illegal. Britain had strongly advised the Arab States to carry out the United Nations’ ceasefire order. Britain had supported the Arab request for delay because it seemed a reasonable request.