Evening star., 1947-05-25
Palestine Probers
To Meet Tomorrow
10 Elect C.hairInen
sy ii. As.eeiased Press


Nations experts predicted today that
the Palestine inquiry commission
would recommend either . partition
Of the Holy Land or an Arab-Jewisf
state under international trustee
ship.
This prediction was made as the
10. N. investigation commission pre-
pared to begin summer-iong search
for possible solution OF the Pales-
tine problem.
The 11-nation commission viii
hold its first meeting here Monday
afternoon to elect q chairman and
decide how and where it will carry
out its inquiry.
One of It's biggest initial decisions
will be whether to visit the Jewish
displaced persons camps OF Europe
or confins Its Investigation solely to
Palestine.
The commission also was expected
to consider the question Of Palestine
independence In relation to any pos
sible solution Of the Holy Land prob
lem.
Given Free Hand In Probe.
Under q United Nations General
Assembly mandate, the commission
has a free hand to investigate every
angle Of the Palestine situation. It
has been directed to report its rec
concentrations to the Assembly when
1t meets in New York next Septem-
ber.
The commission Is composed
|of representatives from Australia,
C7echoslovakia, Guatemala, Iran,
the Netherlands, Peru. Canada,
Sweden. Yugoslavia, Uruguay and
India.
Some delegates said they believed
that Emil Sandstroem, lord justice
Of Sweden, would be named chair
man Of the commission.
Although delegates not on the
commission were reluctant to specu-
late on possible solutions of the Holy
Land problem, q majority privately
expressed their beliefs as to what
the commission would recommend.
All refused to be quoted by name.
They maintained that, although they
had considered possible solutions
they did not want to make any
statements that might influence the
governments during the special As
sembly session. these delegates said
they are determined to maintain
silence until the commission reports
to the 55-nation body in September.
2 Possible Recommendation Seen.
Then they will have to take a
stand publicly on the future of
Palestine. But In private converse
tions they said they thought that
the commission likely would bring
In one Of two recommendations:
/. An Arab-Jewish state on a
democratic basis which would in
volve an Intermediary United Ma
tions trusteeship over Palestine.
2. A partition of Palestine into
two separate, sef-governing states
one Arab, the other Jewish.
Alone of the five major powers.
Russia has suggested both as a pos
sible solution. Russias first choice
appears to be an Arab-Jewish state
under United Nations trusteeship.
But other delegates privately ex-
press preference for partition.
One representative, whose govern
ment Is vitally concerned with solv-
ing the problem, said partition of
the Holy Land might be the answer.
His idea is that Palestine be cut in
to two pieces-one, Arab, the other
Jewish-and organized along Fed
eral lines under a trusteeship.
Under such a plan, he said, Pal
est1ne independence would be left
open for a few years.
Arabs Oppose Partition.
Jewish leaders have indicated they
would accept partition II their part
was self-sufdcient and they could
rule 1t as they saw fit, opening 1t to
Jewish immigration without restric-
ton.
The Arabs, however, are against
partition. They demand that Pal
estine be declared an independent
country Immediately.
Arab leaders have expressed fear
that If the Holy Land were parti-
toned and the Jews permitted un-
limited immigration, there would be
an overflow Of Jews into the Arab
sector.
The Arabs contend that the Jews
are seeking to gain q majority in
Palestine and become rulers of the
country. They are now 1900, 900
Arabs and 100000 Jews In the Holy
Land.
Seven out Of 10 American workers
travel to and from work by auto
mobile.