Two Republican members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee who spent several days in Palestine during a 63-day trip through Europe, Asia and Africa, today warned against “abrupt action” or “stubborn inaction” in the Palestine problem. Rep. Francis Bolton of Ohio and Rep. Karl Mundt of So. Dakota. addressing a press conference here, issued a joint statement reading as follows:
“In troubled Palestine, we found three sides to the controversy eager to present their views instead of only two as we had anticipated. Our committee took transcribed testimony in Jerusalem from the leaders of the Jewish, Arab, and Christian factions.
“We found the situation in Palestine to be tense, strained and dangerously explosive. Conditions are such that it is indicated that bloodshed may easily arise either from hastily considered, abrupt action or from sustained, stubborn inaction through refusal to face up to the basic facts in the perplexing Palestine problem.
“It would be unfair to all concerned-especially to the persecuted Jews who have already suffered so greatly in Europe-to simply dump thousans of defenseless Jewish immigrants into Palestine at this time to run the hazards of new abuses from a new group unless we are willing to send American soldiers along to maintain order by force. Even this action would appear certain to provoke armed attacks and uprisings by the Arabs of the countries of the Near and Middle East.
“The Palestine situation is one which requires careful, unbiased study and a solution which will cure more hardships and heartaches than it creates. We have transcribed notes fully covering the complex and conflicting view-points of all factions in Palestine who actually live in the country and desire to make it their permanent home. We are going to make these hearings available to our committee and to Congrees with the hope that they will be helpful in pointing toward a solution to this long standing problem which will avoid bloodshed, eliminate persecution, and promote justice.”
Mrs. Bolton related enthusiastic accounts of here reception by Ibn Saud, and the hospitality he extended her, both in his palace and at a dinner for the Congressional representatives.
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