Evening star., 1947-10-14
Russiu and Palestine

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Now that the Soviet Union has embraced
substantially the same Holy Land policy
as the United States the problem of
Settlement-though remaining difficult in
the extreme-has become appreciably more
manageable. The Importance of the de-
velopment, and the hope to be derived
from it, may perhaps be best measured by
imagining how taut the situation would
be today had the Russians taken a stand
sharply at variance with ours and closer
to the Arab Leagues.
Though agreeing in theory with the
idea of binational or federated Arab
Jewish state-as recommended by the
minority of the United Nations Special
Committee on Palestine-the Soviet Union
has decided that such an arrangement
would be impossible" to achieve in the
light of present realities So it has Joined
us in supporting the committees majority
proposal to partition the Holy Land into
two politically independent but econom-
ically united states, one Arab and the other
Jewish. At the same time, however-and
again in line with us-it has made clear
that it favors subjecting this proposal to
certain amendments and geographical
notifications.
In thus committing themselves to the
essentials of the majority plan, however,
the Russians have been careful to say
nothing about what their views will be If
there must be an imposed settlement re-
quiring force. They have said merely that
they are in favor of prompt General
Assembly decision along the lines of the
partitioning proposal, and that they will
be prepared later to discuss any concrete
measures" that may be necessary to put
the decision into effect. Apparently they
prefer to remain noncommital on this
point until there is further Qualification of
the American position.
AS defined Saturday by Herschel v.
Johnson, our representative, that position
is based on the assumption that the Arab
states will observe the u N. Charter, that
only constabulary or police force is likely
to be needed, and that such force can be
recruited on volunteer basis by the
United Nations"-an arrangement under
which the regular armies of our own and
other countries would not be called upon
to contribute troops. This raises several
questions. How will the recruiting be han
died, for example? Who will arm the re-
cruits? Who will command them? And
what happens if the American assumption
proves wrong and more than policemen are
needed? Presumably the Russians have
decided not to touch upon this matter until
1t Is spelled out in more detail during the
course of debate.
Nevertheless, as Mr.. Johnson has said,
it is gratifying that the Soviet position, in
it's essentials, comedies with ours. This is
the first time in long time that there has
affairs as whole are concerned, it may
mean little, but it can mean much in terms
OF the specific issue of Palestine. At any
rate, 1t tends to diminish greatly the sig
ntf1cance of the threats of violence voiced
by spokesmen for the Arab League, which
Is bitterly opposed to both the minority
and majority plans.
The Arab countries, according to authori-
tative figures, have military forces adding
up to only about 10000 men, most OF them
Ill equipped and poorly trained. Palestine's
oSWS SAoiAA W 41dFC SC,UUU Icduy Uc1cNQ
their proposed new state, and the British
have 100000 on the scene. In the cir
cumstances, although it would be unwise
to discount the factor of fanaticism react
ing to real or fancied injustice, the Arab
threat seems somewhat exaggerated, par
ticularly now that Russia has sided with
us In favor of partition.
1t would be mistake, of course, to sup
pose that the Soviet decision has removed
the possibility of grave violence. But it
has certainly made the outlook more prom
Using. The Arabs are bitter, and many of
them undoubtedly are honestly convinced
that they have good reason to be bitter
Yet, if the great majority of the United
Nations-with all of the Big Five concur
ring-decide on partition with strict guar
antees and in as fair manner as possible
the will to resist may weaken and the
establishment of new independent order
in Palestine may be carried out with rela-
lively little bloodshed. At least, that is
what our own American position assumes.
and the peace-minded everywhere must
hope that the assumption is sound.
New Army Medical Library