Foreign Secretary Bevin told the House of Commons today that Britain intends to withdraw the Arab Legion from Palestine before May 15. said, however, that British arms and subsidies will continue to be supplied to ##ing Abdullah after that date.
Asked whether British officers, arms and money will continue to be supplied to Abdullah irrespective of whom the Legion attacks, Bevin replied that the British Government must await the results of the U.N. discussions now taking place at Lake Success. He refused to commit himself to a direct answer.
The Foreign Secretary declared that contracts with Arab states are being carried out as speedily as possible. He said refused to interfere with the delivery of arms and munitions to Arab states until the U.N. decision is received. It seems to me,” he said, “that the Jews have the best arms.”
A comment by M.P. Maurice Edelman that “murder will be committed before you to anything” provoked the rejoinder from Bevin, given amidst cheers, that “the British sergeants were not hanged by Arabs.” Bevin added: “I say to the Jews and to the Arabs – the Arabs are not in this House – that the way for both of you to settle this is to stop fighting.”
Earlier, the Foreign Office announced receipt of a message from Sir Alec Kirkerids, British Minister to Transjordan, denying that King Abdullah has “declared was on Zionism.” The report also denied a nave agency dispatch that the Arab Legion has taken Jericho, northwest of the Dead Sea.
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