Entry of 100,000 Jews to Palestine Impossible Until “illegal Armies” Disarm, Attlee Says

Prime Minister Clement R. Attlee told the House of Commons today that the British Government will make the execution of the recommendations of the Anglo-American Committee of Inquiry on Palestine dependent on American financial and military cooperation, and on the disbandment of “illegal armies” in Palestine and the surrender of their arms.

The Prime Minister also emphasized that the practical difficulties involved in the immediate absorption in Palestine of the 100,000 Jews from Europe “would obviously be very great.” He said that the British Government will consult with the Government of the United States “as soon as possible” and that it recognizes that “decisions must be taken as soon as possible.”

“The report must be considered as a whole, in all its implications,” Attlee declared. “Its execution would entail very heavy, immediate and long-term commitments. The British Government wish to be satisfied that they will not be called upon to implement a policy which would involve them single-handed in such commitments and in the course of a joint examination they wish to ascertain to what extent the government of the United States will be prepared to share the resulting additional military and financial responsibilities.

“The report,” he continued, “recognizes that 100,000 certificates for admission of Jews to Palestine should be authorized immediately and awarded so far as possible in 1946 and that actual immigration should be pushed forward as rapidly as conditions permit. The practical difficulties involved in immediate reception and absorption of so large a number would obviously be very great. It is clear from the facts presented in the report regarding private armies maintained in Palestine, and from their recent activities, that it would not be possible for the Government of Palestine to admit so large a body of immigrants unless and until these formations had been disbanded and their arms surrendered.

“As the report points out, private armies constitute a danger to the peace of the world and ought not to exist. Jews and Arabs in Palestine alike must disarm. The committees have drawn attention to the failure of the Jewish Agency to cooperate in dealing with this evil and have expressed the view that the Agency should at once resume active and responsible cooperation with the mandatory power. The British Government regard as essential that the Agency should take a positive part in suppression of these activities. They hope that both Jewish and Arab leaders will give counsel of patience and restraint.”

CHURCHILL ASKS FOR ACTION ON THE REPORT OF THE ANGLO-AMERICAN COMMITTEE

Winston Churchill, now leader of the Conservative opposition, asked if the Government would take action necessary “to do justice to this very important and far-reaching report.” Attlee replied that his assumption was correct.

“That being so, the opposition will not press for a debate at present,” Churchill continued. “We hope the Prime Minister will let us know when the moment is opportune, but we regard the matter as urgent on account of practical difficulties that may arise.”

Attlee replied that the British Government was getting in touch with the United States Government as soon as possible and that as soon as a decision had been made it would be communicated to the House of Commons.

JOINT ANGLO-AMERICAN CONSULTATIVE MACHINERY IS PLANNED

It was reported tonight that the United States and Britain will establish joint consultative machinery to examine the recommendations of the inquiry committee and to decide on a program for their implementation.

Discussions on the recommendations are now going on between Secretary of State James F. Byrnes and Foreign Secretary Ernest Bevin, both of whom are now attending the conference of foreign ministers in Paris. The discussions, it was reported, will continue until the required machinery is established.