FIGHTING IN PALESTINE

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 30 August 1929, Page 5

FIGHTING IN PALESTINE

BRITISH TROOPS IN ACTION. VANDALISM OF ARABS. PLUNDERING HOUSES OF JEWS. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright.) (Australian Press Association.)

LONDON, Aug. 29. British troops were in action for the first time at Surbaiyah, a few miles from Bethalem ,on the peak of the hills dominating Jerusalem from the gateway to Transjordan, says Jerusalem correspondent of the “Daily Express.' 1 Two companies of the King’s Regiment and a squadron of the Bristol Fighter aeroplanes and armoured cars were detailed to encircle the village and capture a band of Arab gunmen. They seized many Arabs in their beds, also the Loot taken in recent raids. Hundreds of other Arabs who fled as the troops approached, pursued by mounted police, were intercepted by machinegun fire from low-flying aeroplanes. “The plains were strewn with dead when I visited the area,” adds the correspondent. “It i$ impossible to exaggerate the vandalism of the Arabs in plundering the houses of wealthy Jews. Pianos were battered to pieces, pictures slashed, and everything breakable smashed to smithereens. “All the Jewish burials are carried out secretly, the bodies being taken to the Mount of Olives at night under the escort of armoured cars.”

Cairo telegrams state that Syrian demonstrations are increasing at Nablus, Sidon and elsewhere. Ten thousand Christians and Moslems, headed, by clergy carrying crosses and Moslem banners, marched in the streets of Beyrout crying, “Palestine for the Arabs!” A detachment of cavalry accompanied them tc> prevent breaches of the peace. Former Turkish officers have formed a force of 600 men at Nablus with the avowed object of surrounding Jerusalem.

The forces of the Bedouins made a terrific onslaught on the Jews art Tiberias, Nablus and Safod.

New® from Damascus states the deaf leader of the Druses, intends to march on Jerusalem to protect the Mosque of Omar.