Mass Migration Of Jews To Palestine Ready To Start

Wanganui Chronicle, 8 May 1948, Page 5

Mass Migration Of Jews To Palestine Ready To Start

BRITISH REFUSE U.S. REQUEST TO CONTINUE THE MANDATE

(N.Z.P.A.—Copyright ) Received 6 p.m. LONDON, May 7 A mass influx of Jewish immigrants into Palestine has been planned to start immediately after the end of the British mandate, in eight days’ time, according to the “Daily Telegraph’s ’ Jerusalem correspondent.

Aircraft will bring in some Immigrants, he says, but most’ will come by sea in ships already chartered or bought and stand-. ing by off the Italian. southern 1 French and Black Sea ports.

Houses and camps have been prepared for these arrivals at points along the Jewish-dominated coastal plain. The correspondent says, and a special organisation will look after their welfare until they have settled down.

Apart from the aged, almost all of them will be called up for some kind of service, either in the armed forces or in essential industries of the newly-born Jewish State. Besides human cargoes, many shipments of supplies and armaments are scheduled to arrive from practically every exporting country In the world. It is disclosed that Britain has rejected an American proposal for a today extension of the Palestine mandate, due to expire on May 15. Reports from Beirut said the proposal provided for an all Palestine truce during the 10 days, during

which Britain, the United States, France and Belgium would open negotiations with the Arab States for a general settlement. American diplomatic officials have announced that a new effort by the United States to end the fighting in Palestine and induce the British to extend their rule beyond May 15 had failed. Officials said a four point programme was presented to the Jewish and Arab representatives by the United States on May 3. The Jews and Arabs turned down the proposal. British representatives were reported to have said that they would be willing to do what they could if the Jews and Arabs agreed to the American plan. The points included a 10day recess of the General Assembly, during which Arab and Jewish representatives of the Belgian, French and American truce commission would fly to Palestine to negotiate a truce and report to the assembly. Mr. Truman said yesterday that, despite Britain's refusal to extend the mandate, the United States was still making every effort to avoid bloodshed in the Holy Land and get a Palestine settlement.