The British Cabinet which met today to consider the Palestine question is reported to have taken no decision on the immediate as well as the long-range problems, but granted wider powers to Sir Alan Cunningham, Palestine High Commissioner, to deal with violence.
It is believed that postponement of the expected government decisions on Palestine was due partly to the temporary truce reported to have been reached with the Jewish extremists. The delay may also be due to the desire of some members of the Cabinet not to prejudice the outcome of the conference on Palestine which is to be resumed here on Jan. 21.
Government spokesmen today indicated that the Cabinet is no longer inclined to order martial law imposed in Palestine. They emphasized that most of the Cabinet members believe now that such measures will not be necessary. They made it clear that Foreign Secretary Ernest Bevin and Colonial Minister Arthur-Creech Jones consider partition the best solution of the Palestine problem.
BEN GURION IS ADVISED THAT BRITAIN IS PREPARED TO HALT TERRORISM
At the same time, it was learned that the Colonial Secretary, who conferred for 45 minutes yesterday with David Ben Gurion, chairman of the World Zionist Executive, bluntly told the Zionist leader that the government is prepared to stop terrorism in Palestine if the counsels of moderation fail. Ben Gurion left London for Palestine today.
Observers here believe that Ben Gurion will report to the executive members Jerusalem that the present position is a stalemate. It is still considered unlikely that Jewish representatives will participate formally in the London Conference, but Agudah leaders today raised the question with officials of the Colonial Office of holding a British-Jewish parley.
The London press today reported that the Anglo-Jewish Association is likely to join the Conference on Palestine and that an invitation will be extended by the British Government to Dr. Chaim Weizmann to attend the parley even though he is no longer president of the Jewish Agency. Referring to this report, Leonard Stein, president of the Anglo-Jewish Association, told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that his organization stands ready to take part in the proceedings at any stage at which it can be of service.
Dr. Nahum Goldmann today denied press reports that the Zionist Actions Committee had decided that he be stationed permanently in London. No decision has been reached with regard to his station and work, he told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, adding that he will remain in London until British policy on Palestine is clarified, and if it is decided later that he should concentrate on the United Nations, he may remain in New York.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
