Reorganization of “haganah” Started; Palestine Jews Mobilize Industry, Science

Reorganization of the Haganah to convert it from an underground defense force into a peaceful Jewish Army able to maintain order in the projected Jewish State, in case of the immediate withdrawal of British military forces from Palestine, has begun.

The revamping of the Haganah follows a resolution adopted yesterday by the Assefath Hanivcharim, the Jewish National Assembly, urging the total mobilization of maupower, agriculture, industry and science, in readiness for a possibile United Nations decision recommending the establishment of a Jewish State on the basis of partition.

Members of the Haganah who have been “demobilized” will be recalled to service. Former military officers will be placed in charge of special courses to prepare officer and non-commissioned officer cadres. At the same time, steps are being taken to secure rapid and effective mobilization of Jews of military age all over the country in case of an emergency. No aggressive plans are being prepared and the operations are planned from a purely defensive viewpoint.

Jewish institutions which are entrusted with the mobilization of industry and science today were in contact with each other in order to insure rapid conversion from peace to an emergency regime. All activities point to the fact that Dr. Abba Hillel Silver, speaking before the United Nations yesterday on behalf of the Jewish Agency, did not exaggerate when he stated that the Jews in Palestine are willing and able to stand up in defense of their right to establish a state of their own.

The Stern Group announced last night the cessation of its activities until the end of the present session of the United Nations General Assembly. The announcement warned, however, that “this truce does not concern reactions to British provocations.”