Evening star., 1947-01-09
British Cabinet
Cancels Session
On Palestine
German Peace Treoty
Held Most important
Problem Faced Now
BY the Assoeiofsd Press

| LONDON, Jan. 9.-A British
cabinet session on Palestine was
cancelled today and sources close
to Prime Minister Attlee said de-
cisions already taken about the
Holy Land would gradually be-
come apparent"
The cabinet has had international
issues, including Palestine, under
review for two weeks and was re-
ported to have decided that peace
with Germany was the most i'm
portant problem to be faced.
The cabinet was reported to have
granted 1t. Gen. Sir Alan Cunning
ham, high commissioner for Pales-
tine, wider powers to deal with vio-
lence, but there was no indication
Of any decision on partition or ap-
peal to the United Nations for set
tlement.
There was speculation in govern
ment circles that rumors of 60-day
suspension of violence by under
ground groups in Palestine had al
lowed Mr.. Attlee and his LabdR Rgov-
ernment colleagues to delay urgent
decisions until after the Palestine
conference which is to resume here
on January 81.
Reich Pact Test for Bevin.
The problem of the German peace
treaty, which the Foreign Ministers
Council will consider in Moscow in
March, was expected to provide an
acid test of Foreign Secretary Bey-
ms craftsmanship.
Frank King, diplomatic CORE
spondent of the British Press Asso-
citation, said German reparations and
the future German status in Eu-
ropes economy, the future govern
ment of the Reich and its relations
with Eastern and Western Europe
"are certain to be high tests of pa
tience."
The two weeks OF cabinet talks
were reported to have ranged over
all aspects of foreign affairs, includ-
ing the atom bomb and disarma-
ment.
The cabinet was reported to have
adhered to it's earlier decision that
a neU Anglo Egyptian treaty must
leave the Sudan free to help decide
its own future and not to be incor-
porated into Egypt, as the Egyptians
demand. e.
L In the case Of Albania the cabinet
was believed to have decided to be
ready to lay before the United Ma
tions Security Council its demands
for reparations for the loss of life
and damage to two destroyers which
struck mines of the Albanian coast
Cunningham Given New Powers.
Palestine has been uppermost in
conversations between Mr.. Bevin,
Gen. Cunningham and Colonial Sec
retary Arthur Creech Jones during
the last two weeks.
Government sources said the min
listers already had decided against
imposing martial law to stamp out
violent tactics of some extreme
Jewish underground organizations,
having been swayed from earlier
belief that such measures would be
necessary.
Nevertheless, these sources said,
Sir Alan already has been given
wider authority to act in putting
down violence.
Relative peace has been the rule
in Palestine since the outburst of
last Thursday night. but whether
this had anything to do with the
reported cabinet decision against
the imposition of martial law was
not clear.
Irgun zvai Leumi and the So
called Stern Gang, the two most
extreme underground groups, yes
terday were reported to have de-
clared a truce pending continued
negotiations. But Jerusalem police
last night received unconfirmed re-
ports that Jewish-Arab clash had
occurred in the nearby town OF
fTubas in which an Arab was killed
and another Arab and two Jews
wounded.
SmertenkO to Be Barred.
A Home Office official reiterated
last night that Prof. Johan j. Smer-
tenko of Woodbury., Conn.,, vice pres
ident of the American League for
Free Palestine, would be barred if
he attempted re-entry into Britain
Prof. Smertenko, in Geneva
Switzerland, on his way to London
said the action was based on some
(See PALESTINE, Page A-4.)