Elmira Star-Gazette · Elmira, New York · 1 January 1947

CP-1947-002

'America Should Lead in Solving Palestine Problem'

E. Marshall Bush, RD 2, Elmira

Shown from the top. The whole column — 5.2 times taller than it is wide — is in the enlargement.

Scan 214 × 1116 pixels

Transcribed from the clipping

“Editor, Star-Gazette:—The situation in Palestine has reached a state where decision must be made now and carried out promptly to put an end to the lawlessness that is rampant there. It has become increasingly apparent that no decision can be made, or solution found, which will satisfy either the Arab or the Jewish extremists in Palestine at this time.

But for the sake of the majority of them, who are peaceful law-abiding citizens, the persistent acts of terror and violence must be stopped.

The most feasible solution would seem to be the partitioning of Palestine into separate Arab and Jewish communities… While Republican Senator Vandenberg and others make occasional statements designed to catch some Jewish votes, our government has also not only permitted, but aided in, the collection of funds in this country, part of which have gone to the Jewish underground, and which provided the bombs that caused the death of dozens of British soldiers… For it must be emphasized here that neither the Balfour declaration of 1917 nor the British mandate of 1922 made provision for a Jewish state in Palestine.

What it did provide for was a Jewish homeland. It also appears necessary to be pointed out to some people, time and again, that Palestine is not a member of the British Commonwealth nor is it a colonial possession. It has simply been mandated to them for their protection.

But the responsibility for the maintenance of law and order under the mandate does not rest solely upon the British government if lawlessness jeopardizes the peace of the world. It is a world problem, not a British problem, as the attitudes of some of our so-called statesmen seem to be.

If the United States has presumed to have attained to a position of world leadership, then it should take the leadership in solving this problem.”

Context added by this archive

A reader arguing that the Balfour Declaration and the mandate promised a homeland and not a state, and that the United States, having funded the underground, should take the lead.

A correction

Addressed “Editor, Star-Gazette.” The letter refers to partition and to the United Nations, which places it around 1947 rather than 1918 as the microfilm caption had it. The exact day is not readable on the clipping.

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