Foreign Minister Ernest Bevin today told Parliament at “there is still time for moderation and reason to win. Palestine, but in a few days it may be too late.” The vital requirement now, he said, is that shooting cease Bone machinery “be established of which the Jews and the Arabs could mate use.
Bevin emphasized that the British Government has used all of its influence to event the invasion of Palestine by Arab countries. The British authorities also warned the Jews and Arabs that until May 15, no aggression would be tolerated in Palestine.
The Foreign Minister reiterated that Britain does net intend to retain the mandate after May 15 and will not use any of its resources after that date for the purpose of enforcing any settlement against the wishes of either the Jews or the Arabs. He said that reports of Arab invasion of Palestine during the last few days have not been confirmed by British military advisers.
Parliamentary circles expressed surprise that Bevin failed to mention the reinforcements sent to Palestine from Cyprus end Malta this week. Opposition speakers’ fltrefl8ed that the dispatch of reinforcements caused great confusion as to what the government’s Palestine policy is now. They disagreed with Bevin1 a view that the British Government has made real attempts to bring peace to Palestine.
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