Evening star., 1947-07-08
British Commander
lin Palestine OK. s
.
3 Death Sentences
BY ths Asseciotsd Press


JERUSALEM, July 8.-Lt. Gen.
G. H. r. Macmillan, commander
of British forces in the Holy
Land, today confirmed the death
sentences imposed by a British
military court June 16 on three
young Jews convicted of partici-
pating in the Acre Prison de-
livery.
Gen. Macmillan also confirmed
life sentences which had been i'm
posed on two other Jews convicted
Of participating in the delivery last
May 4, during which 251 prisoners
escaped and Is persons were killed
All five convicted men were al
legedly members of Irgun Zvai Leu
mi, Jewish underground. organizs-
ton.
Relatives Of the condemned men
previously had appealed to the
United Nations Commission on
Palestine to intervene in their be-
half. The appeals were relayed to
the British by the commission with
a resolution expressing anxiety less
execution of the death sentences
create disturbances in Palestine
which might interfere with the COM
missions work.
l.
Irgun Zvai Leumi has threatened
blood -for-b reprisals for the
execution OF any of its members.
Advised OF Gen. MacMillan's ac-
ton, Emil Sandstroem, chairman of
the U. N. Commission, refused COM
ment. pointing out that the case
still must go before the Palestine
high commissioner.
TT is not definite that they'll be
hanged" he said.
The three Jews under sentence OF
death are Yacoub Weiss, 23, laborer ::
Absalom Harib, 20. clerk, and Meier
Maker. 81, shoemaker.
Those sentenced to life imprison-
ment were Ammon Michaelov and
Naham Ziterbaum.
The sentences were imposed on
| the same day that the l1-man
United Nations Commission began
its on-the-spot inquiry into the
Holy Land problem. The commits
sion resolution expressing concern
over possible "unfavorable repercus-
sions' was adopted on June q, with
the Australian member opposing the
measure and Yugoslavia abstain1ng
| Palestine Government Replied.
Publication of the resolution
which was transmitted to U. N. Sec
retsry General Trygve Lie for relay
to the British, brought from the
Palestine government an immediate
reply that discussion was out OF
order at that time because the SEN
tences had not been confirmed and
the case was still in legal process.
The British government later
handed Mr.. Lie similar communl-
cation, saying it had noted the con-
tents of the resolution and pointing
out it still was within the power OF
Gen. Sir Alan Gordon Cunningham
British high commissioner for Pales-
tine, to pardon the condemned men
Edith Weiss, sister of one OF the
condemned trio, arrived here from
Czechoslovakia by plane yesterday
and visited her brother in Acre
Prison last night. She planned to
appeal personally today to Karel
Lisicky, Czechoslovak member OF the
U. N. Commission, to intervene in
Weiss behalf.
Members of the U. N. Commission
privately termed the situation very
unfortunate" but said the group
probably would be very cautious
about taking any action.
| ITS a clumsy decision coming at
very awkward time" one mem
Der said.
| Weizmann for Partition.
Meanwhile, DR.. Chain Weizmann
former president of the World Zion.
ist organization, told the Unitee
Nations Palestine commission today
,,he was convinced that partition
was the solution to the Palestine
PROBLEM because it was final"
DR.. Weizmann declared that "al
parties are tired OF perpetual ten
sion and friction and want a solu'
ton in which relations can bt
established.
Il am convinced that partition
in spite Of its difdculties, In spite Of
the great sacrifice it means to us. Il
such a solution because it is final,
DR.. Weizmann said.
He asserted that temporary
makeshifts will merely pro-
long the present agony"