First Jewish Supply Convoy Enters Jerusalem Via Main Highway; Bernadotte Due Today

The first supply convoy to pass along the main route from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem during the second truce today arrived in Jerusalem after an uneventful trip via Latrun, where Arab Legion forces previously turned back several other convoys.

Count Folke Bernadotte, U.N. mediator, is expected here tomorrow to hold a conference with Jewish leaders over conditions in the city. Meanwhile, John McDonald, U.S. consul general here, yesterday flew to Rhodes on orders from the State Department to confer with Bernadotte.

The war-weary Jerusalem population expects little improvement to result from either Bernadotte’s visit or McDonald’s trip or the current negotiations of the Belgian consul, head of the U.N. Truce Commission, in Amman. The refusal of the Arab Legion to permit regular food convoys to pass along the main highway and water to flow through the Latrun pumping station, despite U.N. assurance to the contrary, has continued the suffering of the Jewish population. Meanwhile, the economic situation has also worsened as a result of the war and the long blockade.

Even as intense rifle and mortar fire continues to violate the U.N, truce almost around the clock, the population is rapidly becoming more divided on the question of the city’s future. The majority, harangued constantly by spokesmen for the Irgun and the Stern Group, appear to favor outright annexation of the city by Israel and proclamation of it as capital of the Jewish state. Leading the minority, Mizrachi leader Rabbi Meir Berlin, continues to hold out for internationalization of the city.

Both parties have formed “pro-Jerusalem” committees and are holding outdoor mass meetings and carrying on a full fledged propaganda campaign. Both advocate an early referendum to find out the sentiment of Jerusalem Jewry. Meanwhile, several Cabinet ministers are expected here momentarily from Tel Aviv to discuss the current situation with local Jewish leaders and to consider setting up an as yet undefined ‘central authority,”