Evening star., 1948-03-06
u. ). and Russia Given
Main Roles in Talks on
Palestine Problem

Palestine Problem
LAKE SUCCESS, Mar. .s.-solv-
ing the Palestine problem seemed
today to have been left mainly
to the United States and Russia.
After two weeks of cautious de-
bate, the United Nations Security
Council late yesterday called on the
i've major powers to find a method
Of carrying out partition of the Holy
Land into Jewish and Arab nations,
recommended by the Assembly No
vember 20. -
Britain announced off the fioor
that she would not take part in the
consultations. China has ahstained
from much Of the U. N. voting on
Palestine. France has been re-
luctant to take a stand.
This prompted the general view
that the future of the Holy Land
rested on the doorsteps of Washing
ton and Moscow.
First Meeting Monday.
The first big power meeting was
set for Monday morning in the New
York offices of Soviet Delegate An
drei A. Gromyko. A To-day limit
was put on the sessions.
Warren r. Austin, American dele
gate, Immediately dispatched his top
Palestine adviser, Dean Rusk, to
for conferences. MIR.
Rusk was due back with any in
structions from Secretary of State
Marshall in time to join Mr.. Austin
at the first session.
United States delegation. confer
ences also were scheduled In New
York over the week end.
Boycott Uncertain.
1t still was not clear whether Brit.
ain would boycott the meetings en-
tirely or would refuse officially to
take part but send an observer. A
spokesman emphasized that his gov
ernment. as mandatory power In
Palestine, was prepared to supply
any information requested.
The British stand was in line with
London's policy of not participating
in any move to enforce partition. or
any other solution not acceptable to
both Jews and Arabs. The Arabs
oppose partition; the zionists sup
port 1t.
The council struck a blow at par
tition in yesterdays meeting by re.
fusing to adopt an American pro4
posal that it accept the U. N. AS.
Sembly's partition decision. That
plan makes provision for the coun-
ell to find ways to carry out parti-
lion. The vote on the issue was 5
10 0 with six ahstentions. Seven
Affirmative votes were needed for
passage.
Statements Soften Blow.
The blow was softened somewhat,
however, by statements from some
opposing delegates that they merely
believed the council should not take
such step until the big powers had
IN opportunity to act. China, Brit
ain, Syria. Canada, Colombia and
were the nations refus-
ng to indorse the move.
Agreement was reached on the
Dig five section OF the American
'esolution only after the United
States yielded on several points to
Mr.. Austin said this was
lone in efforts ito establish har-
nony between the United States
md the Soviet Union" The con-
ultation proposal passed, 8 to o,
With three abstentions. The United
States, China, France and Russia
we're among those voting for it.
One Of the deleted sections pro-
Jided that efforts should be made
n the consultations to mediate
Jewish-Arab differences. However,
The American delegation was un-
ierstood to feel that this idea still
could be salvaged through a liberal
of the accepted parts
Of the proposal.
Sitter Stand Urged.
Meanwhile, three members Of
Congress. each with a different
party label, called on the United
States yesterday to stiffen its at
,itude on partition.
Representative Isacson, new Amer
can Labor Party member from New
York City, urged in his first House
speech that President Truman lift
The ban on shipments of arms to
Palestine, and take steps to bring
about full implementation" of the
United Nations decision.
Senator Morse, Oregon Republi-
,an, told his colleagues that the
State Department is faltering" in its
support of the U. N decision. and
should stop diplomatic double talk
md double dealing" on the issue.
Senator Taylor of Idaho, who was
elected as a Democrat but who has
agreed to be Henry Wallace,s third
oarty running mate. introduced
'esolution instructing United States
representatives on the U. N. Secu-
'ity Council to support all measures
% make the partition decision effec.