TRUCE IN NORTH: FIGHTING GOES ON IN JERUSALEM

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22655, 4 June 1948, Page 5

TRUCE IN NORTH: FIGHTING GOES ON IN JERUSALEM

( N.Z.P.A. Reuter— Copyright.)

LONDON. June 2,

The Chief-of-StafY of the Iraqi Army, Safwar Pasha, said the Arab cease-fire had been effective since midnight on the northern fronts.

The order had caused a large-scale Syrian advance to be cancelled. Reuter’s correspondent in Jerusalem says Arab Legion troops this afternoon crouched in fighting positions around the high battlementsd walls of the Old City on orders not to fire on Jewish positions because it was rumoured that the cease-fire was fixed for 2 p.m. G.M.T. today. But an hour later Jewish mortar shells sailed over the walls and crashed into Arab positions. The fight was still on. In Cairo Count Bernadotte said in his talks with Arab leaders in Amman yesterday he had concentrated on securing a truce. Saudi Arabia Troops in Palestine

In London the Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister revealed that Saudi Arabian troops had already been sent to Palestine.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr. Ernest Bevin said there were indications that there were qualifications ip, the Arab-Jewish acceptance of the cease-fire. He had not the details yet. but hoped that there were no detailed conditions preventing the cease-fire from operating and discussions from proceeding. “We are convinced that among both Arabs and Jews there is a large majority of moderate, peaceful men and women who would welcome the prospect of a just peace.” Mr. Bevin added that the Government had kept in the closest possible touch on Palestine with the British Commonwealth Governments. Further Comment Premature

It would be premature to express any further opinions about the form of eventual settlement he said. Mr. P. Piratin (Communist) asked Mr Bevin “whether in 'view of the action of King Abdullah in attacking Palestine” would Mr. Bevin end Britain’s annual contribution to King Abdullah of £2,000,000? Mr. Bevins said he understood that King Abdullah had not invaded anywhere. Her fellow Arabs invited Transjordan to enter the territory allocated by the United Nations to the Arabs Palestine is believed to have been the main subjr-t for discussion when Emir Feisal. Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, called on Mr. Bevin today. Emir Feisal arrived in Britain yesterday on his way back home from New York where he attended the United Nations’ special Assembly meeting on Palestine.