Evening star., 1947-12-13
Federated State in Palestine

To the Editor OF The Star:
We who have children and grandchildren who,
must live in distraught world assuredly have
the right to watch the movements Of our lead
ers in the United Nations. The hope we might
have had for the successful working Of that
organization has been almost nulliied by the
veto.
1t seems apparent that one country Is hoping
to have her way by the reckless use Of power.
1t is a matter for concern that she is going
along with the United States in the decision
regarding Palestine. To one who has watched
the currents Of history with the deepest in
terest this comes as a danger signal. What
can Russia get out Of it? I can understand
that the United States could make this deci-
sion partly through sympathy for the Jews
and partly because Of pressure from the Jewish
voters but Russia is not Influenced in this way.
1t would seem that Russas entry into the
Palestine situation might give her foothold
on the Eastern Mediterranean. One can hardly
believe that she is doing this to bring peace
to the world, a peace which she persistently
has opposed, although claiming to be the only
friend Of democracy.
The present so-called solution Is very much
what England tried to bring about when she
first received the mandate for Palestine. Re-
IueIuDcT IIldI Slc udQ lCT uuty W G0C AIdUS
led by Lawrence of Arabia, a duty that ap-
parently conflicted with the Balfour Declara-
tion Jewish and Arab leaders spent some
time in London at the request Of the British
Government while that government tried to
work out formula acceptable to those leaders.
We surely remember that partition was dis
cussed then and absolutely was vetoed by the
Arabs. What right do the countries Of the
world have to think that division would be
more acceptable now except to the Jews who
have absolute independence promised them?
1t might be possible to admit the Jews in
Palestine to federated state with some super
vision from the United Nations in order to see
that they had justice. If all parties concerned
could have worked in a federated state, there
finally might have been friendliness but not as
conditions are now, not as the Arabs feel about
1t at present. They think that the United
States and Russia have no right to take part
Of the Arab territory and give 1t to another
people who certainly have no greater claim
on the land than our Indians have on the
United States.
Throughout England's long career she has
made blunders has committed wrongs, but, in
the large, no country has ever handled critical
situations with greater wisdom and justice.
When Jews and Arabs refused partition she did
not undertake to force it. How can we hope
to succeed even with an Army that we do
not want to send over 1t seems to me that
the best plan of the United Nations would be
to withdraw the decision and ask for fed
Grated state and an acknowledgement Of Ara
bian priority. The Jews held Palestine CEN
turies ago but only after they had displaced
other nations or tribes; and they might be
content now with a safe home, protected by
the United Nations and assured of friendship
with the Arab people. If there could be fed
Grated state embracing the dissident peoples,
it might be one step toward a larger fedora
ton which is our only chance for world peace.
The wisest among us cannot tell exactly how
a world federation might be brought about,
but certainly the veto power will have to be
discarded before there is real peace.
MRS. META FOLGER TOWNSEND.
Lenoir, North Carolina.