Evening star., 1948-05-25
Weizmann Appeals
To Truman for Loan
For Military Supplies
Israel President Asks
90 to 100 Million and
End of Arms Emburqo

DR.. CHAIN WelZmann, nead OF
the provisional government OF
Israel, today appealed to Presi-
dent Truman for an American
loan of 100000 to 100000, 900
to purchase military supplies
and help get the new republic on
its feet.
He urged also the immediate lift
ing Of the arms embargo.
Telling a news conference later
of his rather lengthy conversation
with President Truman, DR.. Weiz-
mann said he would not comment at
length on the Presidents reaction
to the arms embargo proposal.
But he left me with some hope
that we might get action on some
thing in the future" Dr.. Weizmann
added.
AS for the loan, DR.. Weizmann
said, that he felt that my plea was
not in vain"
Quotes Truman on Loan.
The Jewish leader quoted Presi-
dent Truman as saying there would
be mo trouble about that. because
the Jews pay their debts" Paren-
thetically DR.. Weizmann added. 81
think this. is true because I don't
believe we owe anybody"
DR.. ~Weizmann, who is 73 and In
i'll health, held the news confer
ence in the garden of the Blair
House. where he has been staying
since his arrival late yesterday at
the invitation of President Truman
1t was at his suggestion that
neWsmen met him there instead Of
at the White House when he
emerged from the Presidents Office
because his health made it necessary
Tor him to sit down during the in.
terview, which lasted about 10 min.
utes.
Avoids Set Speech.
Introduced to the group OF re.
porters by Elihu Epstein, local rep.
resentative of the provisional gov
ernment, DR.. Weizmann smilingly
told the intervieWers that they un.
doubtedly did not want to hear hin
give set speech and that he woule
answer what questions he could anc
give information on the new re.
public.
Il hope you will forgive me i
I don't answer all your question:
as you know it is much easier tt
ask questions than to answer them,
he said chuckling.
A reporter asked him to say some
thing about his conference with tn,
President and DR.. Weizmann re
sponded. 1--WE discussed variou!
problems-some major and som'
minor
He said first of all that he had ex.
pressed regret at the death of tive
American servants who were killed
by the Arabs" and then presented
Mr.. Truman with Torah-a copy
of the Holy Scroll Of the Law, which
is the first five books of the Olc
Testament, hand lettered on parch.
ment
Took Up Two Major Problems.
Then DR.. Weizmann said that he
took up what he described as Is.
raels two major problems with Mr.
Truman. First of all, he said, wa.
the lifting of the arms embargo
which he added he told Mr.. Truman
lis essential to us for our safety.
He added this should be lifted
as soon as possible" He explained
a little later that he understood tina
the American government had thi.
issue under consideration and tha
the President would have to consult
his cabinet and others on thi.
matter.
Next DR.. Weizmann said, he tool
up the question of the loan, which
he described as medium sizee
loan but by American standard.
rather small"
He explained that the militar,
expenditures were first under tn,
program. and, to a questioner, h,
said they would need tanks ane
planes and anti-tank guns.
Reconstruction Fund Needed.
Beyond the military expenditures
Dr. WeiZmann said, there must b.
funds for reconstruction and on,
phase of this Is the bringing in O.
displaced persons which Israel pro
poses to resettle in Palestine at tn,
rate of $4,000 monthly.
DR.. Weizmann said both French
and American authorities in Ger.
many are anxious to get the Jewish
DPS moved and he added that 1t /!
his hope to bring them into Pales'
tine in dignity and honor"
The Israel President said he die
(See WEIZMANN. Page A-6o