Non-agency Groups in London Uneasy over Agency’s Delay in Deciding on Participation

The Anglo-Jewish Association and the Agudas Israel, two of the groups not affiliated with the Jewish Agency, showed impatience today at the inability of the Jewish Agency executive to come to any decision on participation in the conference on Palestine.

Several members of the Agudah executive feel that if the Zionist Actions Committee in Jerusalem should decline to join in the conference, the Agudas Israel will be compelled to participate on the basis of the so-called Rosenheim Plan prepared by Jacob Rosenbloom, president of the World Organization of the Agudas Israel, and published today in the Agudah organ, the Jewish Weekly. This plan urges the acceptance by the Agudah of the British “federalization plan” provided that free Jewish immigration is guaranteed into the Jewish area of Palestine, which should be large enough to absorb 100,000 Jewish immigrants.

The Anglo-Jewish Association, which is equally uneasy over the delay, has, however, not changed its attitude that its participation without the Agency would be without any purpose.

The Agency, it is understood, is insisting on the release of the members of its executive now held in the Latrun detention camp and on their participation in the conference together with David Ben Gurion who is now in Paris. Foreign Minister Ernest Bevin is opposed to this demand.

It was pointed out here today that there is a precedent for British release of political prisoners for participation in conference with the British Government. Such a course has been followed by Britain with Irish and Hindu political prisoners.

LITTLE PROGRESS AT PARLEY AS ARABS PRESENT COUNTER-PROPOSALS

When the conference resumed this afternoon, the Arabs submitted to the British delegation a detailed written statement of counter-proposals, replying to the remarks made by Bevin earlier this week. The proposals were amplified orally, but according to authoritative sources, little progress was made today.

A special committee consisting of one representative from each of the seven Arab delegations and Sir Norman Brook and several Britons was formed to explore further the Arab proposals. It will hold its first meeting tomorrow.

At a press conference tonight, Abdul Rahman Azzam Bey, secretary-general of the Arab League, who is the principal Arab spokesman here, revealed that the memorandum follows the familiar pattern laid down previously:

Rejecting the immigration of 100,000 Jews as recommended by the Anglo-American inquiry commission; suggesting that the Jewish problem be solved on a world-wide basis and not solely in Palestine, and giving assurances that Jews would have adequate representation in an independent Arab Palestine.