British and Americans Reported in Agreement on Franco-u.s. Trusteeship for Jerusalem

The British and the Americans in conjunction with U.N. mediator Count Folke Bernadotte have worked out a plan for a Franco-American joint trusteeship over Jerusalem, a Frenchman attached to the truce observation staff here today told newsmen.

Under the Anglo-American plan, the observer declared, an American governor would be responsible for security in Jerusalem, while a French Governor would be ## charge of the civil administration. This plan, he said, will be placed before the forthcoming meeting of the General Assembly by Bernadotte.

The same observer claimed that the Russians are aware of the plan and have therefore assigned two members of their Tel Aviv staff to stay in Jerusalem for a time to watch the proceedings and keep particular watch on Soviet property in the city. He said that the Russians do not contemplate opening a consulate in Jerusalem, but will ask either the Polish or Czech consuls to take care of their interests.

Jewish authorities in Jerusalem are unaware of the plan described by the Frenchman, but do not exclude the possibility of its existence or that of similar plans

IRGUN AGREES TO MERGE IN JERUSALEM WITH ISRAELI AMY

Reports from Irgun sources last night Indicated that an agreement in principle has been reached between Interior Minister Itzhak Gruenbaum and the Irgun {SPAN}##igh{/SPAN} command for the merger of the Irgun in Jerusalem with the Israeli Army. ?n return for ending its existence as an independent military organization, the Irgun will be Given one representative on the Jerusalem command of the army and will enter the army as a unit, A similar agreement is in the making between the government and the Stern Group, these sources asserted.

The dissidents would also agree to place at the disposal of the army all, their resources in Palestine and Europe, if the agreement, which the Irgun expects to be signed within two weeks, becomes effective. An amalgamation on these terms would represent a concession on the part of the Government which previously demanded that the dissidents join the army as individuals not in units. The Government would also permit the dissidents’ officers to hold the same rank in the regular army.