The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-08-17
Britons Prepare
 1900 for Cyprus

Jerusalem, Aug. 17-CUP)-J Jew ish refugees in Haifa harbor today defied British troops seeking to put them aboard ships for Cyprus and hurry call was sent for reinforce ments to remove the Jews from the ships on which they made their way to Palestine.
 It appeared that the British would have to employ force to get the 1900 deportees aboard the troop ships Empire Rival and Empire HeyWood which are due to take them to Cyprus.
 Indian troops were sent through the port area to reinforce the forces seeking to get the Jews off the ships.
 10000 Swarm In Streets
 Crowds estimated at 10000 sWarmed in the Haifa streets in response to Jewish underground radio broadcasts telling them to take to the streets. Suddenly. for reasons unknown, the crowds melt ed away
 Several hundred Jews gathered at the foot of Mount Carmel in Haifa this morning in answer to i the Hagana radio call to get out on the streets and demonstrate
 The crowd gathered quietly. with out demonstration, and by 10 AM. had made no attempt to march on the fortified por, where the radio urged them to go.
 An explosive atmosphere dominat- ed Haifa, intensified by the impend- ing second transfer of illegal Jew ish immigrants to Cyprus and the death sentences imposed on 18 Jew lsh youths for sabotaging the rail- road yards. The second deportation operation was expected within A hours.
 The Hagana radio urged the Jews to stand by in an effort to protect 1900 of our flesh and blood.'
 Seek Surprise Moment
 Jewish underground leaders re- portedly were seeking an opportun- ity to catch the British of balance and stage a surprise attack. The extreme security measures enforced in the harbor area made any out break extremely difficult.
 The British 1st Infantry Division reinforced with 20 tank destroyers and heavy artillery pieces moved into the dock area. Several British destroyers moved into position. Po- lice launches tore up and down the lharbor, from which civilians were banned.
 Reinforcement moves followed the arrival from Cyprus yesterday of the Liberty ships Empire Riva. and Empire Heywood, which car ried the first contingent of 1900 refugees to the island early this week. Presumably they will carry the second load, now waiting in the Haifa harbor for deportation
 Number Swim Ashore
 Those to be deported were aboard and the Twenty-Three, both an- chored in the harbor.
 A number of illegal immigrants swan ashore yesterday, evading the blockade Unofficial estimates of those reaching shore ran as high as 300. Many crawled ashore nearly eX- hausted at several coastal points.
 Refugees on shipboard awaiting deportation sang Jewish hymns in protest.
 Harbor Fortified
 Another general cEfew in Haifa was considered possible Govern rnent offices were enclosed by barbeo wire and sandbags. Machine-gun posts covered every corner. Police cars patrolled roads to enforce the night curfew now in effect.
 Top Palestine government circles said the death sentences given the Is Jewish youths and life terms for their four girl companions herald ed a new British drive to suppress terrorism. Henceforth, these sources said, the most severe punishment permitted by law will be given con- victed extremists.
 Army and police forces, fearing reprisals, guarded against kidnap- ing of British officers or officials as hostages. After similar death sen- tence was imposed several weeks ago, five British officers were kid naped in retaliation.