British Informed of U.S. Support of “viable Jewish State” in August

Stressing that the U.S. support of the Jewish Agency plan for a “viable Jewish state” in Palestine had been communicated to the British Government as early as August, a statement issued here tonight by the Jewish Agency office said that President Truman’s remarks cannot have occasioned surprise in British official circles, as has been indicated.

The President’s insistence on the admission of 100,000 Jews can certainly not be regarded as sudden intervention, since he has consistently urged this over a period of a year, the statement pointed out. It challenged the accusation by a Foreign Office spokesman that Jewish non-participation in the Palestine conference led to its adjournment, and said that its present talks with the government are aimed at securing Agency participation in the London talks and easing the tension in Palestine.

Representatives of the Agency are due to resume their informal discussions Tuesday morning, when they will meet with Arthur Creech-Jones who was elevated to the Colonial Ministry over the week-end to succeed George Hall, who became First Lord of the Admiralty. Creech-Jones, who is believed to be friendlier to the Zionist cause than Hall, had been Under-Secretary for Colonies.

There was little comment in the Sunday press on former Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s attack on the government Palestine policy, made yesterday at the Conservative Party conference at Blackpool. Churchill accused the Laborites of backing down on the lavish promises they had made the Jews while they were out of power.

The press, however, continued to attack President Truman’s statement, indicating almost unanimous exasperation with what they charge is a political move which will further complicate a delicate situation.