Evening star., 1948-04-25

Well-informed officials here gravely 1ear that
: the Jews and Arabs are loading up for long
and bloody struggle in Palestine. They say
the clash is probable after the British give
up their mandate on May Is. The united
Nations, now engaged in decorous, parliament
tary consideration Of the trusteeshlp plan,
has only about three weeks in which to hnd
some adequate solution to the Palestine PROB
lem. as they see it. An outbreak could turn
into a terrific disaster, they believe with mas
sacres devastation of cities and the destruc-
ton of some of the most deeply venerated
religious shrines in the world They foresee
blood and flame spreading throughout the
Middle East endangering the military position
of the western powers in that part OF the
world. as we'll as the Middle East oil supply.
That oil is prime factor in the success OF the
Marshall Plan, and both Britain and the
United States count heavily on 1t for the use
of their fleets and air forces in that region.
Political Arblanes
Politics has a lot to do with Congress sudden
interest in expanding our air power, accorolng
to the private advice of congressional Leaders
in both parties. Many Representatives and
Senators hope that vote for bigger combat
Air Force may delay or even avoid record
vote on the peacetime draft or universal mill
tary training. They are afraid neither will be
popular and this is no year for politician to
make enemies. But hackers OF the draft-UMI
programs intend to force all members OF Con-
gress to stand up and be counted, even If their
program is beaten.
Political Atoms
Republican Senators concede that they care
fully are studying the political angles to re-
@f Mn r.
and four other members of the Atomic Energy
Commission There probably will be a long
delay before COP policy has jelled. If the
nominations are not confirmed, Senate leaders
are hoping Republican President will be in
washington next year to fill the positions. But
COP planners are wary of exposing themselves
to charge of playing politics with the most
important defense weapon in an unsettled
world. And unless the Senate acts in the next
few weeks the Democrats are certain to raise
that cry.
Political Weather
LONDON.-Labor Party leaders are expected
to call a general election in the fall OF 1949-
about six months earlier than the regularly
scheduled one-if their legislative program is
completed by then. The idea seems to be to
have the balloting before winter. Cold weather
hardships hurt the party in power.
Recovery Program
LONDON-The new economic military alli-
ance among Britain, France and the Benelux
countries is not expected to develop into f1Ve-
nation customs union in the near future. IL
will be a long time, say Government omclals,
before the five nations leap the biggest hur-
dle-Britain's preferential trade arrangements
with other members of the commonwealth. A
multilateral pact erasing currency differences
however, is expected.
oTTAWA-Trade Minister C. D. Howe says
he will 20 to Washington soon to discuss Cana
dian participation in the European Recovery
Programs a partner of the United States,
he adds, not satellite.
LONDON.-Reliable sources here expect the
United States to make vigorous ehort TO
prevent any further ebbing of Britains finan-
cial reserves while United States recovery plan
dollars are flowing in. The United States Is
expected to do two things: ID Attempt to get
Britain to impose stringent measures against
the fight of capital out of the country; CD
attempt to persuade other countries to reduce
their sterling balances in London in return for
Marshall Plan assistance.
Briefly Noted
Max Ball quotes the axiom, There is moth
ing so permanent as temporary job in Wash
ington" He accepted the dictatorship OF the
Oil and Gas Division in the Interior Depart
ment-the Governments top oil JOHN De-
cember, 1916, with the understanding ne would
be relieved after six months. Now he has
served solemn notice on the departments Oh
Advisory Committee that they'll have Ito get
busy and ind somebody to replace me-"