Partition Sub-committee Goes into Closed Session to Study Boundaries and Transition

The United Nations sub-committee on partition,anxious to reach an understanding on the major issues involving partition, today decided to hold informal closed sessions to discuss, primarily, the question of when the ##ndate should be terminated, who should be the transitional authority and the duration of the transition period. The first such informal session was held this afternoon.

It was devoted almost exclusively to an exposition by Moshe Shertok, Jewish Agency political chief, on the boundaries of the Jewish state.

Using a blackboard, Shertok outlined the parts of Palestine in which the Jews ## particularly interested and explained why it is imperative that Western Galilee and other sections of the country be included in the proposed Jewish state. Shertok spoke at the suggestion of the Canadian delegate that the informal session start with discussion of the boundaries.

The decision to hold closed sessions was taken with the consont of the American and Seviet delegations, which — although favoring partition — do not see eye to eye ## certain aspects concerning implementation of a partition decision. The chief differences center around the length of the transition period and the United Nations ##therity during the transition period.It is felt that these differences will be reconciled at the informal sessions, ## has paving the way for quick decisions at the open meetings of the sub–committee which will follow. The sub-committee is expected to have its report ready within three or four days, to coincide with the conclusion of deliberations by the other sub-committee, which is coordinating the Arab proposals.

U.S. HAS NOT REACHED DECISION ON DEADLINE FOR TERMINATION OF MANDATE

Herschel Johnson, speaking for the American delegation, emphasized that the United States has not reached any decision as yet with regard to the length of the {SPAN}##ansition period and the time limit for termination of the mandate, nor on the question of the U.N. administration of Palestine during the transition period. He urged ##hat in order to speed up the work of the sub-committee, the body be divided into two ##king groups:{/SPAN}One group to work on recommendations dealing with the boundaries between the {SPAN}##roposed Jewish and Arab state, on economic union between the two states, on public as## — movable and immovable — and admission of the two states to U.N. membership.{/SPAN}The second working group to prepare recommendations on partition and independence, on the city of Jerusalem, on the transitional period and constituion, including questions of administrative authority, immigration, formulation of constituions

Semyon Tsarapkin, the Soviet delegate, opposed sub-dividing the body. Johnson then indicated he would drop his proposal providing all major issues concerning partition were discussed at closed sessions. Finally, the delegates agreed that informal talks be held in camera on major issues, but that the results of the talks be announced at open sessions.

The American delegation is understood to be marking time in the hope that Britain will agree to remain in Palestine to implement any decision which the U.N. may take on partition. It was predicted today that the U.S., while intent on securing approval for partition, will seek to modify the UNSCOP partition proposal so as to make ## acceptable to the British Government for implementation.

Members of the U.S. delegation today indicated to the JTA that they are hopeful that the partition proposal, when modified in certain details, will receive the necessary two-thirds vote at the Assembly. They expressed optimism over the possibility ## of reaching an agreement with the Soviet delegation on the major aspects of the partition plan.

Meanwhile, the Agudas Israel is expected to apply to the U.N. for a separate ##hearing, following the refusal of the Jewish Agency to agree that an Agudah represontative be included in the official Agency delegation here. The split developed last night at a meeting between Agency leaders and representatives of the American Jewish Conference, American Jewish Committee, World Jewish Conference, Jewish Labor Committee and the Agudah. The Agency stand was supported by Judge Joseph M. Proskauer, president of the American Jewish Committee, who stressed the prime importance of impressing the U.N. with the fact that the Agency spoke for all groups.