TENSION MOUNTING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26229, 13 August 1946, Page 5

TENSION MOUNTING

CONCERN IN PALESTINE IMMIGRANT SHIPS IN SIGHT BRITISH NAVY ON GUARD JERUSALEM, Aug. 11. The R.A.F. two ships believed to be carrying illegal immigrants to Haifa. Destroyers went out to intercept them. Correspondents agree that the tension is mounting hourly throughout Palestine. The authorities have clamped down the strictest security measures thus far imposed. A rumour is spreadnig that immigrants from the snips already tied up at Haifa will to-morrow be shipped to Cyprus. The Haganah has sworn to try to stop such a move. Another Vessel Under Scrutiny Another ship believed to be carrying illegal immigrants is officially reported as approaching the Palestine coast. The R.A.F. sighted the ship headed for Haifa. A destroyer went out to investigate. The ship is reported to be named the Henrietta Szold, after a deceased American Jewess, who organised the movement for bringing Jewish children from Europe to Palestine. More than 1400 illegal immigrants still remain on board two of the 10 illegal immigrant ships which in the past fortnight arrived at Palestine ports. An unconfirmed report states that several thousand British reinforcements have arrived at Haifa.

Reuter’s Valetta correspondent says it is reported that operations connected with Palestine were believed to be the main topic of discussion at the week-end between the Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean, Admiral Sir Algernon Willis; the flag officer for the East Mediterranean, Vice-Admiral Sir William Tennent, and the senior naval officer, Middle East, Rear-Admiral McCall.

Appeal by Illegal Radio The Voice of Israel appealed to the Navy “not to besmirch the glorious traditions of Nelson and Trafalgar by hunting defenceless refugee ships.” Labourers at the Famagusta immigration camp (Cyprus), have been ordered to stand by at 4,3 a.m. tomorrow, following unofficial reports that six ships were expected, says Reuter’s Famagusta correspondent. Newspaper men earlier flocked to Famagusta on a report that a batch of Jewish illegal immigrants would be arriving to-morrow. Naval authorities are reported -to have received a signal: “Have made contact with ships sailing parallel,” but the number of ships has not been given. Two Z craft (shallow draught general purpose vessels) were then hastily loaded with 100 tons of fuel and oil, which might mean that the ships are small and likely to lack fuel, or that the Z craft intended stopping them before the three-mile limit, refuelling them, disembarking the passengers, and sending the ships off.