Evening star., 1948-04-08
Letters to The Star
The Zionist Viewpoint

The Zionist Viewpoint
To the Editor Of The Star:
In his column published in The Star on April
T. Constantine Brown makes two points in
support of the recent reversal of American
policy on Palestine His first point is that the
United States has no soldiers to sspare for
Palestine His second point is that American
support for the Partition Plan would have
endangered American air bases and oil con-
cessions in the Middle East needed for security
purposes. His conclusion is that American
jews Zionists and otherwise. should be In
terested in American security more than In
anything else.
There is nothing wrong with Mr.. Browns
conclusion. submit, however, that everything
is wrong with his alleged facts. As far as the
lack of American soldiers for Palestine Is con-
cerned, it is odd that Mr.. Brown has over
looked the fact that under the trusteeship plan
now. being advanced by the United States
Government, American soldiers might have to
be sent. to Palestine after all. Strange, isn't
it, that soldiers are not available for q solu-
ton that would be favorable to the Jews, but
suddenly become available to enforce solution
that would be unfavorable to the Jews?
AS for the Importance Of Arabian oil and
air bases, and more generally Arab friendship
for the United States, it seems to be conceded
that as long as there is peace, Arab bases,
Arab oil and Arab friendship will not be lost
to the United States irrespective of our Gov
ernment's attitude on Palestine. The reason
for this is that the Arab states lean on America
economically and, fearing Russian threats to
their independence and feudal ways Of life,
seek protection in close political alliance with
America. Can any one believe that this fear
of the Soviet which is the main factor in the
pro-American attitude Of the Arab states,
would suddenly disappear If war were to break
out between the Soviet Union and the United
States? On the contrary, it is in that case
that the threat of Russian advance would be-
come imminent and that the Arab states would
not be able to continue even that game Of
mild blackmail which they are pursuing now.
In my turn, would like to ask few ques-
tions Of Mr.. Brown:
Enrichment of individuals Motive?
l. Mr.. Brown acquits the "oil interests" and
certain officials of the State and Defense De-
partments" of the charge that their attitude
is not based purely and simply on considera-
tions of American security. He states that "it
is not the desire of few to enrich themselves,
or the desire of certain officials to prove them
selves right, which has compelled the adminis-
tration to revise its policies toward Palestine"
How can Mr. Brown be so certain of 1t? Has
he investigated it?
e Mr.. Brown indicates, without saying SO
plainly, that the American people at large
and he personally see great deal of merit
In the Jewish demand for the establishment
of Jewish state, but that the exigencies of
the present international situation stand in
the way. II Mr.. Brown will take the trouble Of
inquiring about the attitudes Of those 'oil
interests" and those Officials of the State and
Defense Departments" from whom he must
have obtained his facts regarding the strategic
and oil situation, he would have found that
they were opposed to the Jewish state at all
times. Has it not occurred to Mr.. Brown that
people do consciously or unconsciously color
facts to justify their preconceived position?
patriotic Concern" Angle.
8. Mr.. Brown says that "the Zoinists and
their friends have described" the oil Of Saudi
Arabia "as a gigantic speculation intended to
fill the pockets of the Standard Oil stockhold-
ers." May ask what else Mr.. Brown would
call venture which has been rugged so that
profits drawn from it would not even be sub
tect to American taxes? The peculiar kind of
patriotic concern evidenced by this attitude
hardly makes allegations from these quarters
as to American national interests very reliable.
4. Insofar as Mr.. Browns opposition to the
Partition Plan and his Endorsement of the
trusteeship proposal Is based on the desire to
keep the Soviet Union out of Palestine, may
ask whether it has occurred to him that while
a Palestine divided into two independent states
might have stayed clear Of Soviet and any
other foreign influence the kind Of trusteeShip
regime envisaged by our Government opens the
door to Soviet insstence that its troops be in
cluded in whatever international garrison is
decided upon, thereby threatening to increase
rather than decrease international tension?
s. Throughout his column, Mr. Brown is
very insistent in describing Zionists as blinded
by their passion. Presumably, he considers his
own attitude to be objective and free from
emotion. My question is whether an attitude
characterized by taking for granted so many
things that should not be taken for granted
and ignoring facts which ought not to be
ignored must not be considered to be as one
sided and passionate as the attitude of the
Zionists is reputed to be.
I should like to state in conclusion that
have the snighest respect for Mr.. Browns
perspicacity. think that in his column on
Palestine he does not give his own views but,
as conscientious reporter reports the views
held by others. only wish that in doing so
Mr.. Brown would not confine all his report
ing to the arguments on one side only.
BENJAMIN AKIN,
American Zionist Emergency Council.