PALESTINE RIOTS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 288, 31 August 1929, Page 11

PALESTINE RIOTS

SITUATION WELL IN HAND

SALUTARY INFLUENCE OF

POLICE

LARGE-SCALE OUTBREAKS NO

LONGER FEARED

(British Official Wireless,)

Kugby, August 29.

Dispatches from Jerusalem indicate that the situation in Palestine is now well in hand.' Outbreaks on a large scale are no longer feared, and the presence of sufficient forces has so strengthened the power of the Government that it should be well able to deal with local incidents. Sir John Chancellor, the High Commissioner for Palestine and Transjordania, arrived at Port Said yesterday, and is to-day due to reach Jerusalem from England, where he had been on leave. The Colonial Ofiice states that, as regards the general situation, it is reported that yesterday and last night were quiet practically throughout Palestine, and that the presence of troops has produced a steadying effect on rioters. Large scale disorders now appear to have been quelled and, unless conditions should be changed by circumstances not. at present foreseen, the grave situation of the previous five days may be regarded as under control. About midday on August 27 an excited crowd of Moslems assembled in the Haram area in Jerusalem and demanded arms from the Grand Mufti. The immediate menace was avoided by the- officer administering the Government, who received a deputation and gave them the formal assurance that the Government had not armed the Jews. In consequence of this assurance the situation in Jerusalem on the morning of August 28 was much easier.

Casualty Figures.

The following are the total casualties up to August 28:—Killed or died of wounds: Moslems 52, Christians 4, Jews 96. Wounded in hospital: Moslems 103, Christians 9, Jews 151. Press telegrams from Jerusalem state that rumours are circulating of incipient movements at Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee, at Gaza, and in Transjordania, but troops continue to arrive and confidence is felt that every movement can now be checked.

Full Investigation to be Made.

Although for the present the British Government is concentrating on the effort to secure order in Palestine at the earliest possible moment, it is learned that a full investigation of the condition of the country is likely to be undertaken immediately order has been restored. A full meeting of the Cabinet cannot be held until the Prime Minister returns from Geneva. Meanwhile, all available information is being collected and experts on the subject are being consulted. ,

TRAVELLERS’ DESCRIPTIONS OF RIOTING

CORNISHMAN’S GOOD WORK

SIX POLICE DISPERSE 300 RIOTERS

(United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.)

Australian Press Assn.—United Service.

Cairo, August 29.

Travellers from Palestine give graphic descriptions of the rioting. One describes how a Cornishman named Carafata, commanding thirty Hebron polide, quelled a force of several thousand villagers who had looted Jewish houses and murdered the inmates, including many children and infants. Carafata then collected the survivors of the Jews and escorted them to the police station. In another case six British police dispersed three hundred rioting Arabs during a brawls An Arab thrust a sword at a Britisher, who ducked in the nick of time and then shot his aggressor. The mob’s savagery was exemplified by numerous bodies hanging from a window badly cut and knocked about. Investigations showed that the deaths were due to use of knives.

MASSACRES AT HEBRON

RABBI’S STORY

Australian Press Association

Jerusalem, August 29.

A first-hand story by Rabbi Slonim of the massacres at Hebron states that the Chief of Police scouted the idea of danger and declined to hear the Rabbi. Eighteen students of the Talmudic College barricaded themselves in the Rabbi’s son’s house, to which Arabs forced an entrance and butchered everyone, including two women, who were fearfully ill-used and mutilated. One woman saved herself by smearing her dress with the other’s blood and feigning death. The sacking continued till British police arrived and shot thirty of the looters.

BRITISH CAPTURE OF CALONIA VILLAGE STORMED PRISONERS AND ARMS CAPTURED (Rec. August 30, 7 p.m.) Loudon, August 30. The “Daily Express’s” special correspondent at Jerusalem, describing to-day's British capture of Calonla, says: “Troops with fixed bayonets surrounded the base of the hill on which Calonia stands, accompanied by reinforcements of Palestine police, armoured cars and fighting aeroplanes. The village was stormed, and, in addition to inflicting casualties, the number of which is not yet known, the. forces captured a hundred prisoners and large quantities of arms and ammunition. For three days Arab sharpshooters have been daily sniping from I the roofs here, terrifying the country-

side, while they nightly made raids on Jewish colonies, burning and looting.” AUTHORITIES CLOSE ROADS Australian Press Association. London, August 29. A Beyrut message states that the British military authorities have closed all roads in Palestine between the towns and villages. The whole of Palestine is now under iron military control. Aaeroplanes fired on a rebel village from which looting was carried out Troops later captured fifty villagers in a bayonet charge. CHANGES IN ADMINISTRATION BALFOUR PROMISE TO BE OBSERVED Australian Press Association. London, August 29. At a meeting of the Zionist Federation, Dr. Weismann, president of the Zionist organisation, detailed an interview with Lord Passfleld, Colonial Secretary, from which he was able to announce that there would be changes in the Palestine Administration which permitted the riots and also that Britain would more vigorously observe the Balfour promise of a Jewish National Home. Lord Passfleld recognised in principle the justice of the demand for compensation for the loss of Jewish life and property. BRITAIN’S ACCEPTANCE OF MANDATE FINE SPIRIT SHOWN PRESIDENT HOOVER’S TRIBUTE (Bee. August 30, 7 p.m.) Washington, August 30. President Hoover telegraphed to a Zionist mass meeting at New York: “I know the whole world acknowledges the fine spirit shown by the British Government in accepting a mandate over Palestine in order that there might under this protection be estab Hshed the Home Land so long desired by Jews. I am confident the outcome of the tragic events will be greater se curity and greater safeguard for th< future, under which the steady re habilitation of Palestine as the true homeland will be even more assured.’ ZIONISTS ADDRESSED BY BORAH CAUTION COUNSELLED (Rec. August 30, 7 p.m.) New York, August 29. Senator Borah, addressing a Zionist protest meeting, counselled caution. He stressed the difficulties which must accompany the formation of a Jewish nation in Palestine, and added: “It is very difficult to understand how all this could have happened. If I knew where the blame rests, I would not hesitate to say so. but " do not know.’*The implication of Mr. Borah's speech was that: the United States should take no action which would possibly embarrass Britain in a solution of the prpb-