Truman Asks Britain to Admit to Palestine 100,000 Displaced Jews from Europe

Former Senator Guy M. Gillette today revealed that President Truman has sent a personal letter to Prime Minister Attlee urging the admission to Palestine of apprximately 100,000 displaced Jews still in camps in Germany.

Gillette emphasized, in a statement to the press, that the President had authorized him to make the news public. President Truman also told Gillette that Secretary of State James F. Byrnes, who is now in London attending the conference of the Big Five foreign ministers, is negotiating with the British Government on the future of Palestine. The President asked Gillette to postpone his contemplated trip to London in behalf of the American League For A Free Palestine until Secretary Byrnes returns from England with a report on the results of his negotiations.

Gillette, who called at the White House together with Senator Ralph Brewster, of Maine and Senator Warren Magnuson, of Washington, also quoted the President as stating that he had no objection to making public the fact that the government of the United States is now in constant consultations with the British Government on the Palestine problem.

The President informed the delegation that whatever decision may be taken regarding the status of Palestine, the United States Government will insist that the doors of Palestine be opened immediately to the homeless Jews of Europe. The U. S. Government will also ask Britain to assist American authorities in Europe in evacuating the displaced Jews to Palestine, Mr. Truman was quoted as declaring.

Following the interview with the President, Gillette said that he and Brewster and Magnuson had decided to postpone their trip to London and will await the return of Mr. Byrnes from England. The three thanked President Truman, in behalf of the American League For A Free Palestine, for his friendly efforts to assist the displaced Jews in Europe.