THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS COUNCIL AUTHORIZED GREAT BRITAIN TODAY TO “STUDY” A SOLUTION OF THE PALESTINE PROBLEM INVOLVING PARTITION BUT WITH HELD AN OPINION ON THE PROPOSED DIVISION OF THE HOLY LAND PENDING RECEIPT OF A DETAILED PLAN.
THE COUNCIL EMPOWERED BRITAIN TO TAKE SUCH STEPS AS THE “STUDY” MAY ENTAIL, WHICH PRESUMABLY MEANS THAT BRITAIN MAY SEND A NEW COMMISSION TO PALESTINE TO FRAME A CONCRETE PARTITION PLAN IN CONFERENCE WITH JEWS AND ARABS, AS ASKED BY FOREIGN SECRETARY ANTHONY EDEN.
THE RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL, DRAWN UP BY ITS SUBCOMMITTEE OF THREE AND ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY, EMPHASIZES THAT THE MANDATE REMAINS IN FORCE UNTIL SUCH TIME AS MAY OTHERWISE BE DECIDED. THE JEWISH AGENCY FOR PALESTINE, IT WAS LEARNED, IS SATISFIED WITH THE COUNCIL RESOLUTION, PARTICULARLY BECAUSE OF THIS PROVISION.
DR. CHAIM WEIZMANN, PRESIDENT OF THE JEWISH AGENCY, LEFT GENEVA. DAVID BEN GURION, CHAIRMAN OF THE AGENCY’S EXECUTIVE, IS EXPECTED HERE SHORTLY FROM THE UNITED STATES.
THE RESOLUTION WAS INTRODUCED BY FOREIGN MINISTER VICTOR ANTONESCU OF RUMANIA, RAPPORTEUR OF THE COUNCIL. FOREIGN MINISTER YVON DELBOS EXPRESSED THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT’S APPROVAL, DECLARING FRANCE WOULD FOLLOW WITH THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY EFFORTS TO SETTLE THE PALESTINE PROBLEM ON THE BASIS OF EQUITY.
AFTER ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION CAPT. EDEN THANKED MR. ANTONESCU, VILHELM MUNTERS OF LATVIA AND RICHARD SANDLER OF SWEDEN, THE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE WHICH DREW UP THE RESOLUTION.
TEXT OF COUNCIL RESOLUTION
THE TEXT OF THE RESOLUTION FOLLOWS:
“IN VIEW OF THE UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT’S STATEMENT IN JULY, 1937, CONCERNING THE CONCLUSIONS OF THE ROYAL COMMISSION ON PALESTINE.
“IN VIEW OF THE PRELIMINARY OPINION GIVEN TO THE COUNCIL BY THE MANDATES COMMISSION.
“IN VIEW OF THE STATEMENT MADE BY A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UNITED KINGDOM AT THE COUNCIL MEETING ON SEPTEMBER 14, 1937, AND THE DISCUSSION OF THE STATUS OF PALESTINE WHICH TOOK PLACE AT THE SAME MEETING.
“HAVING REGARD TO THE INTENTION EXPRESSED BY THE UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT OF PURSUING THE STUDY OF THE PROBLEM OF PALESTINE’S STATUS WHILE CONCENTRATING ON A SOLUTION INVOLVING PARTITION OF THE TERRITORY.
“AND RECALLING THE ASSURANCES GIVEN IN THIS CONNECTION BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UNITED KINGDOM ON THE SUBJECT OF IMMIGRATION.
“THE COUNCIL AGREES TO THE UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT’S CARRYING OUT THE AFORESAID STUDY AND TAKING SUCH STEPS AS IT MAY ENTAIL, AND, WHILE POINTING OUT THAT THE MANDATE OF JULY 24, 1922, REMAINS IN FORCE UNTIL SUCH TIME AS IT MAY BE OTHERWISE DECIDED, DEFERS CONSIDERATION OF THE SUBSTANCE OF THE QUESTION UNTIL THE COUNCIL IS IN A POSITION TO DEAL WITH IT AS A WHOLE, AND IN THE MEANTIME ENTIRELY RESERVES ITS OPINION AND DECISION.”
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