Evening star., 1948-05-07
British Palestine Arm,
Could Be Nucleus Of
u. n. Police Force
8y the Assoeiotsd Press

CAIRO, May british tanks and
troops newly arrived in Palestine
stand as a two-edged sword dis
couraging new offensives both by
the Jews and Arabs-at least until
after the mandate ends May Is.
They also stand as a conveniently
handy weapon which the United
Nations might pick up-if Britain
should consent-to form the nucleus
of Palestine police force under
temporary administration, such as
is now being considered.
Repeatedly, Britain has said she
will not help enforce any settle
ment in the Holy Land unless both
Jews and Arabs agree to it. But
under her army's announced sched-
ule Of withdrawal, the last units are
not to depart until August.
Policy Is Uncertain.
Whether the troops and tanks
remaining will limit themselves be-
tween May IS and August to pro-
tecting themselves or spread out to
defend the peace on a broader scale
is an unanswered question, to which
the U. N. may be able to find an
answer.
There IS little expectation here
that regular armies of the Arab
countries surrounding Palestine will
move into the Holy Land before the
mandate ends week from Satur-
day. They are moving right up to
the frontiers, however, waiting to
see what will happen-particularly
at Lake Success.
1t Is reported that one-third of
the Egyptian Army is in Sinai, the
peninsula on Palestines southern
border. How many troops that is,
no one Is prepared to say for pub
lication. Many trains have been
observed hauling armored cars,
guns and troops across Egypt toward
the desert frontier and civilian
travel to that area has been stopped.
In Trans Jordan, King Abdullah
has British-trained reinforcements
available to bolster the Arab Legion
units he already has In Palestine
under British orders. An Iraqi
armored brigade is in Trans Jordan
and Iraqi planes, which include a
few modern fighters, could reach
there In a matter Of minutes. A
large Syrian Army unit disappeared
from It's training camp just north
Of Palestine's northern border a
few days ago and It's present where
abouts is mystery.
II 1t comes TO war between the
Zionists and regular Arab armies,
Hagana, the Jewish defense force,
is expected to make a determined
effort to capture Jaffa, the strategic
port next door to the all-Jewish
city of Tel Aviv This port, as
signed to the Arabs under the
U. Ms stymied partition plan, was
the objective of recent Jewish
offensive which was halted by Brit
ish troops.
The Jews, relying heavily on sup
plies brought by sea, would like to
have Jaffa as a harbor for forces
based In Tel Aviv. 1t would be
doubly important to them in case
the Arabs cut the coast road to the
main port city Of Haifa. which al
ready is in Jewish hands.
Equipment Formidable.
Regular Arab armies can confront
the Zionists with some pretty for
midable equipment-armored cars,
artillery and few planes. On the
other hand, the Arabs face two Sc
rious difficulties-long lines OF COM
munication and limited supplies of
ammunition, not easily replenish-
able
The Jews would have the advan-
tage Of short interior lines Of COM
munication. They would be de-
pendent on the sea for replenish-
ment, however, and Arabs might
bomb ships from the air.
The Jews themselves count on
Hagana, a well-trained. well-disci-
plined and well-equipped army, with
invaluable battle experience. The
Arab fighters from Palestine itself
are mostly peasants equipped with
guns of many different makes, which
raises a tough supply problem.