U.S. Warns Egypt Against Further Provocations Along Israel Border

The State Department has instructed the American Ambassador to Egypt to warn the Egyptian Government against further provocations along the Israel border, it was indicated here by U.S. Ambassador Edward B. Lawson.

Ambassador Lawson called upon Israel’s Premier and Foreign Minister Moshe Sharett to inform him of the stand of the United States Government towards the recent incidents on the Israel-Egyptian frontier. According to press reports, Ambassador Lawson told the Israel Premier that Ambassador Henry A. Byroade has received instructions from Washington to make it clear to the Egyptian Government that the United States is greatly annoyed by Egyptian border provocations which precipitated the Gaza clash.

At the same time, Mr. Lawson asked that the Israel Government take an attitude of restraint toward Egyptian provocations. The views conveyed by Mr. Lawson were reported by the Premier this afternoon to the weekly meeting of the Israel Cabinet.

U. N. TRUCE CHIEF TO START TALKS TOMORROW WITH ISRAEL AND EGYPT

Maj. Gen. E. L. M. Burns, United Nations truce chief, is expected back here from the United States on Tuesday. Immediately following his arrival he will start negotiations with Israel and Egyptian authorities to reduce tension along the Israel-Egyptian frontier.

Meanwhile, three Israel soldiers were wounded yesterday morning in the fourth mining incident of the week along the tense Gaza strip border, when their patrol car was completely destroyed by a land mine near Wachal Oz. An Israel military spokesman who revealed the incident said that at the same time heavy mortar fire was directed at the patrol car by Egyptian positions.

The Israel-Jordan Mixed Armistice Commission ruled this week-end that Jordan was responsible for firing on an Israel patrol, inside Israel territory, on March 30. The Israelis were trying to intercept Jordan shepherds who had brought their flocks onto Israel territory to graze.

Israel Defense Minister David Ben Gurion, speaking during the week-end in Ramat Gan at a rally marking the tenth anniversary of the entry into combat of the Jewish Brigade, warned Egypt and Jordan against attacking Israel. He said:

“Let our southern and eastern neighbors know that their mean criminal plans against Israeli sovereignty and the security of its inhabitants would encounter Jewish force–force that can settle the Negev deserts and maintain friendly relations, but is also capable of smashing any attacker and enemy in such a way that they will not be able to recover as they did in the Negev battles of 1948, as well as the recent Gaza battle of a month ago.”