CASUALTIES TRIVIAL

Evening Star, Issue 23094, 21 October 1938, Page 9

CASUALTIES TRIVIAL

BRITISH TROOPS IN OLD JERUSALEM HOUSE-TO-HOUSE SEARCHES CONTINUED FIRM MEASURES TAKEN TO QUELL THE REVOLT Press Association—B.v Telegraph—Copyright l JERUSALEM, October 20. The British troops remained in the Old City of Jerusalem throughout the night. The rebels resumed sniping at dusk and continued through the hours of darkness, British pickets replying. The British casualties thus far have been trivial, which is surprising, as it was expected that they would be much heavier. There is nothing to fear if the situation is handled firmly. The troops recommended the house-to-house searches at dawn detaining males, many of those who posed as peaceful citizens being handed over' to the police for interrogation and for examination of their shoulders in order to discover marks of rifle butts.

. The troops also found a rope hanging from the city wall, suggesting that some of the rebels escaped. It is also thought that the rebels had means of access not known to the authorities, who are considering calling on archaeologists to advise them with regard to secret passages in the Old City. A military court sentenced to death an Arab who was caught on a Jewish truck at Lydda. An emergency regulation empowers the High Commissioner to expropriate rebels’ immovable property and demolish or otherwise dispose of possessions of those, whether resident in Palestine or abroad, who are aiding or instigating violence, intimidation, and sabotage. ARABS TAKE REFUGE IN MOSQUE BREAD DISTRIBUTED BY BRITISH TROOPS. JERUSALEM, October 20. (Received October 21, at 10 a.m.) The first duty of the British troops in the Old City was to distribute bread in the Jewish quarter, also to priests land nuns in Christian institutions. They had been without food for 72 hours.

The Arabs are taking refuge in the mosque, secure in the knowledge that the British do not wish to desecrate holy places. Over 300 were arrested on the roof of the Church of the Nativity, which was being used as a watch tower. The rebels are sniping aeroplanes from minarets. APPEAL TO THE AGA KHAN ISMAILIA, October 20. (Received October 21, at 11 a.m.) Moslems have sent a message to the Aga Khan urging intervention. ARABS AND JEWS LATEST REACTIONS ' JERUSALEM, October 20. (Received October 21, at 1 p.m.) Relief and renewed 1 confidence are expressed everywhere. The Arabs welcome ’the reports that partition has been abandoned, but stress that British policy in other respects must also be changed, The Jews express relief itt the prospect of the British remaining in control, having feared the creation of an Arab State. The Arab casualties in the old city have been increased to 19 killed and 25 wounded.