Ben Gurion Notifies Eisenhower of Israel’s Agreement to Quit Egypt

President Eisenhower was notified today by Israel Premier David Ben Gurion that the Israel Government accepts his proposal to withdraw its forces from Egyptian territory and to cooperate with the United Nations troops which will be sent to the Suez Canal area. The exchange of communications between Mr. Eisenhower and Mr. Ben Gurion will be made public by the White House late tonight. (At the time the Bulletin went to press it had not been made public.)

In the past 24 hours the State Department has exerted extreme pressure on the Israel Embassy to secure withdrawal of Israel forces. Ambassador Eban met twice with important State Department officials, one session being with Acting Secretary of State Herbert Hoover, Jr.

It was reported by well informed sources, that the State Department threatened that the United States would not support Israel in the event of Soviet intervention on the Arab side unless Israel complied with President Eisenhower’s request. A view was circulated by high government officials here that if World War III erupts as a result of Israel’s refusal to withdraw troops, Israel would deserve condemnation rather than support from the U. S.

U. S. military sources today made known that Soviet military “advisers,” Red Army technicians, and squadrons of MIG jet aircraft piloted by Russian “volunteers” have entered Syria. The U. S. Defense Department has ordered a worldwide alert of U. S. armed forces. It was also reported here that Egypt is working with feverish speed to repair the airfields bombed by Anglo-French forces. The purpose of speedy repair of these facilities, it was said, is to prepare them for the arrival of Russian planes piloted by “volunteers.”

Meanwhile, President Eisenhower today discussed the use of U. S. transportation to rush United Nations forces to the Middle East. This was learned following a meeting of the President with the National Security Council. State Department Lincoln White declined all comment on reports arriving her of a Soviet build-up pointing toward the Middle East.