The British Government will communicate its final proposals for an agreed solution of the Palestine question to the Arab and Jewish delegations at formal meeting tomorrow afternoon and evening at St. James Palace. The meeting with the Jews, the first formal session since the breakdown of the discussions on Feb. 27, will be held in the evening. The Arab-British session is scheduled for the afternoon.
Dr. Chaim Weizmann, president of the Jewish Agency for Palestine and leader of the Jewish delegation at the five-week-old triangular peace conference, conferred with Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain in the House of Commons tonight. Dr. Weizmann discussed the situation with the Prime Minister, clarifying the Jewish position.
Previously, Dr. Weizmann had met Colonial Secretary Malcolm MacDonald, going over with him the ground covered in the informal weekend discussions with the Jews, from which Dr. Weizmann was absent. The Jewish leader sought clarification on such points as the impression gained by the delegation that Mr. MacDonald had agreed that the transition period, which would precede formation of an independent Palestine state, would not be terminated without approval of the Jews.
The Jewish conference committee will hold a session on Thursday to decide on whether or not to accept the British proposals. It has been officially stated that the proposals are subject to modification in detail only, and if they are rejected by either side the Government will dissolve the conference and proceed with formulation of the policy to be imposed in the event no agreement is reached. This policy, it is understood, will not necessarily embody the new Government proposals to be outlined tomorrow since these are to be contingent on cooperation by both sides. Some days will be allowed for discussion of the new British plan. The last meeting, for formal leave-takings, are expected to be held on Monday and Tuesday.
A meeting of the Jewish Agency Executive today considered the question of convoking the Zionist General Council, supreme authoritative body between biennial sessions of the World Zionist Congress, in special session, but no decision was taken. It is understood, however, that the Council will convene in Palestine in April or May to complete arrangements for the 21st congress to be held next autumn. It is considered most unlikely that the congress will be held in the United States.
A delegation representing the Parliamentary Pro-Palestine Committee, headed by former Colonial Secretary Leopold S. Amery, presented a memorandum to Prime Minister Noville Chamberlain against abandonment of the Palestine mandate and pledges to the Jews.
A plan for a union of equal Arab and Jewish states in Palestine under British guidance was outlined by Bernard A. Rosenblatt of Haifa, former New York City magistrate, in a letter to the Manchester Guardian. Mr. Rosenblatt warned that the Palestine Jewish community, hitherto “as patient as Job, has the strength of Samson and would rather pull down the house of the Philistines in common ruin before accepting the fate of a blind slave.”
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
