PALESTINE

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 July 1915, Page 2

PALESTINE

WILL IT BECOME BRITISH

.Mr H. J. Sliepstone, in the Scotsman, discusses the question, "Will the HolyLand Become British?" He says:—

"So far as Palestine is concerned, we have to remember that it adjoins Egypt and Sinai, and that the trade of this sacred and historic land is in British hands. True, France has great interests in Northern and many statesmen are of the opinion that Northern Syria will ultimately pass to France and the Holy Land under the British flag. "There is no denying the fact that Turkey is doomed, and the question as to what should be clone with the Holy Land, with its sacred associations and imposing array of holy places, will have to be decided by the Allies in the near future. "Whether it be placed under the British flag and be administered from Egypt, as is done in the case of the Sinai Peninsula, or be given an independence, or handed over to the Jews, are certainly interesting and debatable questions. From my knowledge of the country and from a study of political and other developments here, I am inclined to think that this sacred land will become a British possession. An independent or neutral Palestine, governed by Syrians, would hardly do, nil account of racial feelings, while, so far as the Jews are concerned, we have to remember that Jerusalem is a great Christian see where every church is re presented, whose interests'would sooner or later result in friction with Jewish aims and ideals.

"Hence, if peace is to come to this troubled land, and prosperity to be restored to it, and its varied races, with all their complex religious pageantry, 10 be safeguarded, Palestine must come under British influence. Palestine exported products during the year 1813 to the value of £743,000. Of this sum Great Britain contributed £200,000, and her Egyptian possession £265,000. The tonnage of British ships that traded with Jaffa for a like period amounted to 270,461. Our greatest competitor here has been Germany, but in the period named she only purchased some £23,000 worth of the country's products, and the tonnage of her ships whs only 78,656. "Those who imagine Palestine to be a large country will be surprised to learn that in area it only equals that of Wales, and, like Wales, is very mountainous. It is full of hills and valleys, with hero and there a rolling plain. The smallness of the country surprises every traveller. In a stretch of land equal to that between Aberdeen and Dundee you cover the whole central ground of the Bible, from the Sea of Galilee to Jerusalem. In a ride equal to the distance from London to Windsor there may be seen enough to interpret many centuries of the world's history. The Dead Sea is but 50 miles from the Mediterranean, and the Sea of Galilee about 21 miles, while the distance between the two seas is only 55 miles. Yet in this comparatively small stretch of country there }s every kind of soil, from sand ai\d broken limestone to rich red and chocolate loam. Every variety of climate, too, is experienced, and both temperate and tropical fruits and vegetables are cultivated. The peasant life of the land has not greatly changed since Bible times, and every village to-day boasts of its upper room, or guest chamber, where the men meet, smoke, sip coffee, and chat about the local news. "Farming is the principal occupation of these interesting people. In addition to growing grain they also raise olives, grapes and other fruits. The ploughs are very primitive and are driven as a rule by oxen. ' I "It is a picturesque land, full of oldworld romance and charm, but sadly in need of a more stable government, better laws, justice for all; and although the introduction of these may mean the passing away of some of its ancient charm, yet such < a transformation is essential if