Mediator Sets Time For Truce In Palestine To Begin

Wanganui Chronicle, 10 June 1948, Page 5

Mediator Sets Time For Truce In Palestine To Begin

IF EITHER SIDE FAILS TO RESPOND HE WILL REPORT TO U.N.O. (N.Z.P.A.—Copyright.) Received 11 p.m. LONDON, June 9 The United States mediator in Palestine (Count Bernadotte) as set 6 a.m. (G.M.T.) on Friday us the time when Arabs and Jews in Palestine must cease hostilities and allow the United Na;tlnr>s Organisation Truee Commission to proceed with its work of endeavouring to find an amicable solution of the deadlock in the Holy Land.

® either side fails to observe a i uce as from the deadline suggested, Count Bernadotte will rep >rt direct to the Security Council of the United Nations.

Arab Legion guns shelled a new track which the Haganah secretly built to replace the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv Road, which the Arabs blockaded. The Associated Press Jerusalem correspondent says there is no evidence that any supplies have reached the beleaguerd Jews in Jerusalem over the track before it was shelled. The Arabs also shelled a new Jewish airstrip which it is believed the Jews hoped to use for transport planes. An Amman communique says the Arab Legion were forced to fire on potash workers south or the Dead Sea because the workers were aggressive and using firearms. Saudi Arabian troops went into their first action in Palestine when they co-operated with Egyptian units in attacking Zionist convoys, according to an Egyptian Defence Ministrycommunique. Egyptian bombers raided Tel Aviv harbour, scoring a direct hit on a cargo boat and sinking several smaller craft. Jewish anti-air-craft fire brought down an Egyptian Spitfire south of Tel Aviv. The “Daily Telegraph’s" Haifa correspondent says the withdrawal of the British forces from Palestine through Haifa has been speeded up to such an extent that unofficial sources say the operation may be completed this month, unless there are policy changes. • The Jews already are preparing an

organisation to take over the port immediately the Union Jack kis hauled down. They foresee prompt Arab attacks by air and sea, and are seeking permission to install anti-aircraft and other defences around the port areas before the final British departure.