The Wanganui Chronicle. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1946. PRESIDENT TRUMAN LOOKS AHEAD

Wanganui Chronicle, 8 October 1946, Page 4

The Wanganui Chronicle. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1946. PRESIDENT TRUMAN LOOKS AHEAD

IVJI UH significance should not be attached to President Truman j latest contribution to the Palestine problem. His request for immediate ami substantial Jewish immigration to Palestine because of tile approach of winter in Europe is hardly to be regarded as a diplomatic approach to the subject. He is in confidential communication with Air. Attlee and could have made known his views to the British Government without indulging in publicity thereby. The task of the Conference now sitting in London is to bring Arab and Jew together and having done so to establish some working relations between them. The initial task has not yet been accomplished and President Truman's published words will not assist, in reaching that first essential step. To ask, as he does, that the door be opened to Jews from Europe, that British policy shall go into reverse at a request from the White House, is to diminish British prestige, to encourage Jewish intransigence, to destroy Arab confidence in Britain while at the same time not providing the essentials to implement his request. The cost of administrative work to deal with this large influx of Jews and the consequent problems, and Ihe garrisons necessary to keep the peace are not to be forthcoming from America : President Truman will ask Congress for funds to promote the economic development of the country. American aid as promised by Air. Truman is not sufficient to support, the President’s request. He only goes halfway, leaving the essentials out of the picture. He cannot, therefore, be expected to be taken very seriously by the public outside of America. This probably gives the clue to the reason why he made this impolitic statement: it was not intended for export. The forthcoming Presidential election is looming upon the political horizon and Air. Truman, if he is to succeed in maintaining his occupancy of the White House, must look lo his support. Jewish support is a factor of importance at the present time and Air. Truman cannot, afford to ignore it. That he has to leave out of consideration account the international situation when making his bid for the Jewish vote does not bespeak a strong position for the President.