Evening star., 1946-10-05
Stronq AttIee Protest Is Hinted
In Note to Truman on Proposal
To Open Palestine to Jews Now
Confidential Exchange
Of Messages on
Issue Is Reported
BY the Associofed Press

LONDON, Oct. 5.-The British
Foreign Office confirmed today
that Prime Minister Attlee had
sent a note-a strong one, II
hinted-in reply last night to
President Truman's demand Tor
immediate and substantial Jew
ish immigration into Palestine
President Truman and Prime
Minister Attlee have exchanged
confidential communications on
the Palestine question, it was
learned in Washington. White
House officials said, however,
they were not at liberty to dis
close the content of the ex-
changes.
AS the British press predicted a
new wave of terror over the Holy
Land as a result of the Presidents
statement, a Foreign Office spokes-
man, disclosing the note had been
sent, said it was personal" and he
did not expect that it would be made
public.
He said Britain was puzzled" to
learn that Mr.. Truman had acted SO
"precipitately" and that the Presi-
dent did not accept the decision of
the government bearing "the re-
sponsibility for Palestine"
Peril to Negotiations Seen.
Thus the spokesman underlined
the view that Britain under its
League of Nations mandate remains
in sole control of Palestine and has
no obligation to accept suggestions
made by the United States or any
outside power.
Last night, an official speaking for
the Prime Minister said fatty that
Mr.. Truman's statement may well
jeopardize" British-sponsored nego-
tiations to determine Palestlne's
future.
Earlier, the Foreign Office said
Britain would not act on President
Truman's appeal until the whole
political future" of Palestine was
settled, The President had said
that further immigration could not
await settlement.
By diplomatic standards. Britain's
statements were quick and sharp
and some London diplomatic writer's
said they indicated Mr.. Attlee was
angered. both by Mr.. Truman's pro-
posals and his nsistence on pub
fishing them despite Mr.. Attlee's re-
quest that publication be deferred.
Factors Behind Concern.
Behind Britain's deep concern
over Mr.. Truman's statement lay
the following factors:
1. A feeling that Mr.. Truman had
affronted the British government by
publishing the statement against
Mr.. Attlee's wishes.
2. A belief, often expressed In
authoritative British quarters, that
Mr.. Truman's 100000 figure for i'm
mediate Jewish immigration tends
to become an absolute minimum
Jewish demand.
British sources have suggested
that, had Mr.. Truman set no figure,
the Jewish" Agency might have ac-
cepted a lower quota.
According to this theory, Mr.. Tru-
mans request has given the agency
added courage to fight for goals
which meet greater resistance from
the Arabs. This possibly was what
Britain meant when she said Mr.
Truman's statement may well jeop-
ardize" current negotiations for set
tlement.
Fear has been voiced by both the
conservative press and by some gov
ernment sources that Mr.. Truman's
statement might stir both Arabs and
Jews to violence, complicating the
already difficult problem of main
tanning order in Palestine.
The Daily Mail said this morning
that Jewish terrorists are
likely to regard this Intervention
s<as a direct incentive to in
tensify their campaign of terror and
murder.
Arabs, on the other hand, will
have an acute cause for bitterness,
and it would not be surprising If the
prospect of Mr.. Truman's proposals