REPORT AWAITED

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 104, 4 May 1937, Page 20

REPORT AWAITED

PALESTINE DISORDERS

Palestine politically is .again poised in mid-air, waiting for the fifth time since the British occupation for a report following ah inquiry into ArabJewish disturbances, says the Jerusalem correspondent of the "Christian Science Monitor."

But just as the fifth outbreak, which was more or less liquidated on October 12, 1936, was more serious than any which had preceded it, so is the present Commission of Inquiry a weightier one.

The Eoyal Commission sat on an average of five days a week for more than two months. Whatever days were not devoted to hearings, public or private, were given over to tours of investigation through the country.

Now that the Commission has left, Palestine is speculating what the verdict will be. . The decisions reached are bound to have a far-reaching influence on Britain's future policy, although, as is known, the British Colonial Secretary made it clear at the time of the Commission's appointment that the Government was not committed to accept its findings nor bound to accept its recommendations. DELAY ON REPORT tIKELT. The Commission's report is not expected to be published for some time. It would surprise no one here if it did not appear until after the Coronation in London, though less than that time may be required for the completion of further, inquiry in London and the actual preparation of the report.

While it is idle to attempt to forecast what the Commission's findings are likely to be, certain conclusions are almost forced on anyone who has observed at close range the trend of the inquiry. The Commission had as its terms of reference "to ascertain the underlying causes of the disturbances which broke out iii Palestine in the middle of April and to inquire into the manner in which the Mandate is being implemented—and to ascertain whether upon a proper construction of the terms of the Mandate, either the Arabs or the Jews have any legitimate grievance on account of the way in which the Mandate has been or is being implemented, and if they are satisfied that any such grievances are well founded to make recommendations for their remedy and for the prevention I of their recurrence."