Evening star., 1939-02-27
j. ). Advises Britain
Against Abo|ishing
Palestine Mandate
Disastrous Effect Upon
Public Opinion Is
Seen by Kennedy
By the Associated Press.


LONDON, Feb. 27.-United States
Ambassador Joseph P. Kennedy told
the British government today that
drastic restriction of Jewish immi-
grafton into Palestine and the aboli-
tion of the British mandate over the
Holy Land would have disastrous
effect on public opinion in the
United States"
The Ambassador saw Foreign
Minister Viscount Halifax as Jewish
delegates threatened to end a con-
terence on the standing Arab
Jewish controversy unless Great
Britain changed plan to make the
Holy Land an Arab state allied with
Britain, with Jews there relegated
to minority status.
1t was understood that Mr. Ken
nedy discussed the situation in tie
light of convention between the
United States and Great Britain
signed December 3, 1924, which
stated that no change could be
made in the terms of the League of
Nations mandate as far as they
affect American interests unless
such modification shall have been
assented to by the United States.
Talks With Rabbi Wise.
The Ambassador asked for partic-
ulars of the British plan after
long discussion of the situation with
Rabbi Stephen S. Wise of New York,
who is attending the conference.
Uiec01,,ot -u-oc n
have told Mr.. Kennedy that the
British plan was by no means final
snd promised no change would be
made affecting American interests
in Palestine without first receiving
the approval of the United States.
Colonial Secretary Malcolm Mac
Donald refusel to discuss the British
plan in the House of Commons and
warned members against accepting
unofficial reports. which he blamed
for serious incidents in Palestine.
Jewish delegates met a British
delegate this afternoon and sub
mitted memorandum rejecting the
British suggestions as a basis for
further negotiations. They pointed
out. however, that this would not
necessarily end the peace confer
ence.
Talks Take Bitter Turn.
The deadlocked three-week-
negotiations took such a bitter turn
over the week end. when the British
scheme was submitted in outline for
discussion, that Americans attend
ing the conference were understood
to have booked passage home.
The British plan would end the
Palestine mandate, restrict Jewish
immigration and Jewish land pur-
chases in Palestine and shut the
door to Jews who hoped to find
haven there.
Foreign Minister Halifax and Mr..
Macdonald planned to outline fur
ther proposals to the Arab delegates
this morning and to Jews this after
noon. The Jewish Conference Com
mittee was scheduled to meet to
consider the executive boards rec
ommendation for rejection.
1t was expected that Chain Weiz-
mann, president of the World
Zionist Organization, would read
the Jewish rejection to the British.
It was understood that the Arabs
would attempt to get prompt ac-
ceptance of the plan from their
leader. Hal Amin Effendi Al Hus-
seini, eXiled Grand Mufti of Jeru-
salem.
Final Proposals Not Known.
The final proposals on Jewish
immigration under the plan we're
not known, but were believed to call
sor a steady curtailment annually
until fixed percentage ratio to
the Arab majority is reached.
Some observers believed that if the
British persisted in the project the
Jewish population of Palestine might
conduct passive resistance cam
paign. 1t is estimated there are
100000 Arabs to 100000 Jews in
Palestine. Jews said that in the
first stage of the plan, Britain would
appoint Arab and Jewish ministers
Of the new state on representative
basis.
Jews termed the plan betrayal
OF the 1917 Lord Balfour declaration
promising Jewish national home,
and complete capitulation" to the
grand multi. British sources said
the plan was elastic and subject to
alteration. Jewish leaders here con-
sldered calling session of the Ac-
tlons Committee of the Zionist
World Congress to rally worldwide
opposition if the British government
insists on the plan.
New Conference Projected.
Under the outlined project, Brit
ish high commissioner would retain
veto rights over the Arab and Jew
ish ministers: Britain would call
round table conference to work out
q constitution for an interim gov
eminent of three to five years, and
the right to nominate Arab and
Jewish delegates to the conference
would be reserved by Britain.
A third stage Of the plan provided
Tor an independent Palestine with
"safeguarded" Jewish minority
rights. The state would be linked
to Britain by a treaty on lines sim
liar to those of other Arab states
like 1raq and Egypt.
The Jewish delegation here agreed
to boycott British official dinner
scheduled for today by Mr.. Mac
Donald.