The conference on Palestine was indefinitely postponed after today’s morning session which was taken up almost completely by Foreign Secretary Ernest Bevin’s reply to the objections advanced by the delegates of the seven Arab states to the British plan for “provincial autonomy.”
It is believed that the conference may be resumed on Thursday. In the meantime, the Arabs will consider the points outlined today by Bevin and will reply to them, possibly with alternative proposals. A Reuter report said that the conference “is most likely to close next week,” if no delegation of Palestine Arabs comes to London to attend the parley. However, it emphasized that there was “a fifty-fifty chance” that the Palestine Arabs might send a delegation to the conference.
At today’s session Bevin emphasized that the Palestine problem should be approached from a world aspect rather than from a national aspect. He declared that the British consider the “provincial autonomy” plan a workable solution, but added that the government is prepared to discuss modifications and to consider counter-proposals. He concluded by indicating that there cannot be any solution of the Palestine problem without taking into account the presence of Jews in Palestine.
JEWISH AGENCY LEADERS LEAVE FOR PARIS TO CONFER WITH BEN GURION
Three leaders of the Jewish Agency left by air today for Paris to confer with David Ben Gurion, chairman of the executive, on further developments in connection with the British invitation to attend the conference on Palestine. The three were Prof. Selig Brodetsky, Nahum Goldmann and Berl Locker.
Bevin’s remark that no solution is possible unless the presence of Jews in Palestine is taken into account was considered by Jewish circles here an encouraging sign indicating that the stage when the Jewish Agency may be able to enter the conference is not too far distant.
At the same time, these circles pointed out that this stage has not yet been reached, since the government is still formally adhering to its plan for “provincial autonomy” as the basis of the discussions.
PARTICIPATION OF JEWISH AGENCY IN LONDON PARLEY BROUGHT NEARER
Developments may be carried further when Brodetsky, Locker and Goldmann return tomorrow from Paris after consultations with Ben Gurion and start discussions with Dr. Chaim Weizmann, who will be unable to play his full part in the negotiations for about a week, since he is still confined in bed.
Another development bringing nearer the participation of the Jewish Agency in the London conference is the fact that the Arab delegations are expected to make their own proposals on Thursday. This could be regarded as a precedent enabling the Agency to discuss its plan without reference to the British scheme.
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