Stimson Refuses Comment on British – Palestine Policy

Secretary of State Stimson, at his conference with press correspondents, today declined to make any statement regarding the British-Palestine situation, when an inquiry regarding the subject was directed to him by one of the correspondents. He indicated that he did not wish to make any statement because he was not sufficiently informed regarding the situation, as he had not had the occasion recently to study it.

At the same time the Jewish Telegraphic Agency correspondent learns that when inquiries were made in other quarters of an official character ordinarily conversant with the State Department’s attitude in this connection but whose opinion is less authoritative than that of Henry L. Stimson it was indicated in those quarters that the State Department is disposed to pursue a “hands-off” policy, and that present indications would not seem to call for any stand by the State Department.

The refusal, however, of the Secretary of State to comment on the situation is interpreted as meaning that the last mentioned view is not necessarily the policy to be ultimately adopted by the Department, for in the final analysis this policy will be decided by Secretary of State Stimson and President Hoover, probably after consultation with the entire cabinet, in such an important question.

Mr. Stimson’s unwillingness to make any statement today may be regarded as a favorable omen for the present, at least, of his favoring the Jewish side. There is no question that in addition to the official pro-Zionist policy, the American Government, as controlled by the Congress resolution in 1922, and several warm pronouncements by President Hoover, would be extremely unlikely to adopt an attitude which would be unsympathetic to the Jews, in view of the fact of the large Jewish voting population, and the fall elections impending in a strenuous campaign, where the Republican administration is under constant attack.