Washington Mum on Truman’s Intended Action on Palestine; Situation Termed “explosive”

The White House and Acting Secretary of State Dean Acheson declined any comment today on press reports that a plan had been presented yesterday to President Truman modifying the British federation plan. Indications were that no announcement on Palestine would be forthcoming for the time being.

Acheson declared at his press conference that the Palestine situation is so delicate and explosive and involved the lives of so many people–Jews, Arabs and British troops–that it must be handled with wisdom, restraint and care. Important as it is for the public to be kept currently informed of developments, he said, it is not helpful to discuss it now. Beyond saying that the State Department has been very active and in constant communication with the British Foreign Office on the subject, Acheson declared that he could say nothing.

Charles G. Ross, White House press secretary, asked about the purported modified plan, said that such reports were highly speculative. He stated that the President would issue no statement whatever today on Palestine. Ross also declined to comment on a question whether the President has expressed his approval or disapproval to the British of their “federalization” plan.

The reports on the modified plan said to have been given the President yesterday by Mr. Acheson, following a meeting of the Cabinet Committee, is said by well informed sources to be inaccurate in several particulars. The published version omits mention of a proposal that the United States establish special immigration quotas for displaced persons. It is also cited as incorrect in its reference to the $300,000,000 loan by the United States to the Arab states. The loan of $250,000,000 is stated, instead, to be allotted by the International Bank or a similar agency.

Administration circles close to the White House insist that the President will not accept the original British proposal and that he is still working on the entire subject.