MILITARY COURTS

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 41, 12 November 1937, Page 11

MILITARY COURTS

Suppressing Terrorism In Palestine NEW REGULATIONS Carrying Arms Punishable By Death i (British Official Wireless.) Kugby, November 10. In view of the continuance of murders, military courts are being established throughout Palestine. The discharging of firearms and the carrying of arms and bombs are punishable by death. The Military Court regulations will come into force on November 18. In accordance with this decision military courts for the whole of Palestine consisting of a president who will be an officer of field rank, and two other officers, will be set up for the trial of the following offences: (1) Discharge of firearms at any person—punishable by death; (2) carrying of arms, bombs, etc. —punishable by death; (3) causing sabotage and intimidation. Sentences of the Military Court will be subject to confirmation by the General Officer Commanding the British troops in Palestine and Transjordan, from whose decision there will be no appeal. The officer administering the Government wishes it to be understood beyond doubt that these decisions have been prompted entirely by reasons of public security and not because there has been any failure on the part of the civil courts, which will continue to deal with offences save those mentioned. The institution of these military courts, together with the enhanced penalties, is designed solely to expedite the operation of emergency regulations for the suppression of the present campaign of terrorism and sabotage which it is the determination of the Government to exterminate. Protest By Iraq. Questioned in the House of Commons about an alleged protest by the’ Iraq Government regarding Palestine, Lord Cranborne said that the British Government had received various communications from the Iraq and other Arab Governments stressing their views, which were well known, regarding policy action in Palestine. The British Government was responsible not to any other foreign Government but to the League of Nations for its administration in Palestine in general and for treatment of Palestine citizens. The Government had no reason to suppose that the Iraq Government was not aware of that fact.

FURTHER OUTRAGES Opponent Of Grand Mufti Shot Jerusalem, November 10. The Sheik Mahmood Jawdat Alansari, the leading opponent of the Grand Mufti, was shot and seriously wounded outside the Mosque of Omar. The assailant took refuge in the Mosque, which was surrounded by a police body. Another Arab was shot dead and found on the outskirts of the city. A Jewish labourer was seriously wounded while walking along the street.

Telephone wires were cut in various places.

Curfew has been reimposed in the old city.