American Jewish Committee Appeals to Bevin; Says British Measures Increase Tension

The American Jewish Committee today cabled to Foreign Secretary Ernest Bevin charging the British Government with increasing the present tension in Palestine “to a dangerous degree” by ordering the evacuation of women and children from the country. The cable, signed by Joseph M. Proskauer and Jacob Blaustein, president and chairman of the organization, respectively, reads as follows:

“The steadily deteriorating situation in Palestine impels us to appeal to you to take immediate measures for the amelioration of the conditions there. It is our belief that such measures as the order of the Palestinian Government for the evacuation of women and children increase present tension in the atmosphere to a dangerous degree. We appeal to the British Government not to contribute to the prevalent spirit of strife and bitterness.

“We reaffirm our request cabled you last Sunday urging the British Government to initiate a prompt and satisfactory solution of the ultimate problem of government in Palestine with immediate recognition of the need and right of Jewish immigration and land purchase. If the British Government take these steps and end drastic measures in Palestine such evidence of statesman-like goodwill may, we believe, improve and avoid further deterioration in present critical position.”