British Prison Ships Ready to Leave France During Week-end with Exodus Refugees

A French official delegation will board the three British transports on which the 4,500 Exodus refugees are imprisoned sometime tomorrow ## Saturday and will offer the Jews a final opportunity to disembark in France, British sources said here tonight.

The alternative which the French delegation will present to the Jews, according ## the same sources, is transportation to a far-off place where conditions will not be ## pleasant nor from which there will be any hope of reaching Palestine. The French will also hold out to the Jews priority on the Palestine immigration quota, if they ##sembark.The British Government has not yet reached a decision on the destination of ## visaless immigrants nor on a sailing date, the sources said, adding that plans ## still not been made for taking on food. Meanwhile, the Runnymade Park which repaled here yesterday, returned to Port de Bouc, and the Empire Rival is already on ## to that port after being loaded with fuel this morning. The Ocean Vigor, which already has a large supply of coal, is expected here for more, leading to speculation ## the convoy will leave on a long voyage.

Observers here believe that the prolonged coaling operation, plus the warning ## the French, who are known to be reluctant to apply pressure on the DP’s, is part of the “war of nerves” to break the sit-down strike. However, Zionist circles assert that the refugees will maintain their morale and will continue to resist all efforts a force them to land.

Meanwhile, 410 Jews have arrived from the Belsen camp in the British zone of Germany with Palestine immigration certificates. About 150 of them will sail tomorrow ## the Kedmah, first ship of the projected Jewish marine fleet, while the remainder will be split up among several other vessels due to sail for Palestine within the next week.

WORLD ZIONIST EXECUTIVE ASKS REFUGEES TO REMAIN ABOARD VESSELS

Emphasizing that he was speaking on behalf of the World Zionist executive, Dr. Moshe Sneh, member of the Jewish Agency executive, who is visiting here, today called on the refugees to remain aboard the ships.

“Do not lose courage,” his message in Yiddish said. “Do not fear any threats of deportation.” Dr. Sneh cited the fate of the Jews on the Atlantic, who were deported to the island of Mauritius, but were later transferred to Palestine, although the British had warned them that they would never be admitted.

“You too, will reach Palestine,” Sneh’s message read. “The Jewish people will not rest until you are in Palestine, just as the Jews on Mauritius are there and the Jews on Cyprus are coming there. No matter where you will be detained or to where you will be diverted, be strong and resolute. Be strong and well – be strengthened, for we will meet in the liberated Palestine.”