Evening star., 1948-03-20
Americans Expect
U. N. to Approve
Trusteeship Plan
BY the Associated Press

today, but United States sources
expressed confidence the United
Nations will accept the sudden
proposal to abandon partition.
The proposal by Chief Delegate
Warren R. Austin for temporary
U. N. trusteeship over the blood
bathed Holy Land was greeted with
CONSERVATION in London, in Wash
ington and among Jews throughout
the world.
The British. Colonial Office an
nounced Britain stands pat in her
determination to surrender two
months hence her League of Nations
mandate over Palestine. British
troops will be pulled out not later
than August /.
Cabinet Review Set.
A British cabinet review of the
situation is set for Monday. Mean
while, the British Foreign, Colonial
and War Offices began consulta-
tions. Only yesterday the House of
Commons wrote in May Is as the
definite date for the end of Britain's s
mandate in a bill outlining with
drawal procedure.
Mr.. Austin's plea came with dra-
matte suddenness. He asked yester-
day for a special session Of the
U. N. Assembly to approve the in
terim plan and consider a perma-
nent solution: He proposed that
the Security Council ir1dorse the in
terim trusteeship under the U. N.
Trusteeship Council and instruct
the U. N. Palestine Commission to
abandon efforts to put through par
tition. The Partition Commission
already has an advance party in the
Holy Land.
Most delegates were stunned by
the move and hurriedly cabled their
governments for instructions. Russia,
however, announced immediate op-
position.
The 11-nation Security Council
will meet next Wednesday to start
debate on the new American stand.
U, s. Backed Partition. '-
The United States was the strong
est supporter of the partition plan
when 1t was pushed through the As
sembly, SO to 13, last November 10.
At that time the Soviet Union Joined
with the United States in one Of the
rare instances of American-R Russian
agreement within the u. N.
1t was understood here that the
American decision came from the
White House and was of cabinet
level. American spokesman dodged
queries as to the bipartisan aspects
Of the move.
The American statement left a
loophole for the possible reinstate-
ment of the scheme to split the
Holy Land into Jewish and Arab
countries by next October l. How
ever, a high U. N. official said
bluntly: This means the end of
partition.
Rumors Long Current.
Reports and rumors that WASH
ington was abandoning partition
have been current here for some
time but in each instance the State
Department has issued careful
statements of denial.
Mr.. Austin anticipated Russian
opposition but Is understood to feel
that the program is veto-proof. It
was conceded that Soviet Deputy
Foreign Minister Andrei A. Gromyko
might exercise the big power veto
in the Council to stop any of the
three requests. However, alternate
routes were open.
II the Soviet Union blocks a
Council call for the special session,
the United States or any other ma
ton can quickly ask for one and
have the 81 members polled. If Mr..
Gromyko whips out vetoes to hold
up Council acceptance of trustee
ship and the standby instructions
to the Palestine commission, the
Councl: could be by-passed and the
issues taken to the full Assembly.
U. S. Confident of Support.
Proposals need seven of the II
Council votes and two-thirds OF the
81 Assembly votes to pass. The
United States is said to feel it could
muster enough ballots either place.
The suppor. of China and France
already appeared likely There is
no veto in the Assembly.
A special session of the Assembly
would cost approximately s150,O00.
1t would be held at the New York
Worlds Fair site in nearby Flush
ing Meadow. The only previous
special session was held last year
from April % to May Is on the Pal
estine issue at Britain's request.