RIOTS IN PALESTINE

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 30 August 1929, Page 9

RIOTS IN PALESTINE

MASSACRE AT HEBRON. CHIEF RABBI’S STORY. THIRTY LOOTERS SHOT. 1 I'ftNSK -iNCECUIIIUiI Lm Oh.M. tJopyrlght.) (Australian Press Association.., Received 10.25 a.m., to-day. JERUSALEM, August 29. A hi.st-hand story is told by Rabbi Slomim, of the masacres at Hebron. The c.uef of the police scouted the idea of danger ancl declined to hear Slonim. Eighteen students of the Talmudic College barricaded tnemselve.s in the Rabbi s son’® house, to which the Arabs forced aj; entrance and butchered every one, including two women, who were] icarftuiy ill-used and mutilated.. One »otnau saved herself by smearing her dress with the other’s blood and feigning death. The looting continued till British police arrived and shot thirty looters.

SITUATION EASIER

calm hr fueling prevails ,ln PALESTINE.

(Rritism Official Wireless). RUGBY, Aug. 29. Despatches from Jerusalem indicate that the situation in .Palestine is now well in hand. Outbreaks on a largo seafe are no- longer feared, and the presence of sufficient forces bias' so .strengthened the power of the Government that it should be well able to deal with local incidents.

Sir .John Chancellor. High Gommisj sinner for Palestine and Transjordan, arrived at Port Said yesterday, and is to-day due to reach Jerusalem from England, where he had been on leave. The Colonial 'Office states that as regards the veuera.l situation, it is reported, that vested,ay and last night were, quiet practically throughout Palestine, and that the presence, of troops has produced ia steadying effect on the Holers. Large scale disorders now appear to have been quoded, and l unless conditions should be changed l>y circumstances not at present foreseen, the grave situation of the previous five days may be regardled as under control.

About midday on August 27 an excited crowd of Moslems lassemblod in the Haram area in Jerusalem and demanded arms from the Grand Mufti. The immediate menace was avoided', by the officer administering the government receiving a deputation and giving them a formal assurance' that the Government had not armed the Jews. In consequence of this assurance situation in Jerusalem on the morning of August 28 was much easier. The following are the total casualties up to August 28th:— Killed or died of wounds. —Moslems 52, Christians 4, .Jews 96. Wounded in hospital.—Moslem® 103, Christians 9, Jews 151. Press telegram s from Jerusalem ■state that rumours are circulating of incipient movements at Tiberias, on the Sea of Gallilee. at Gaza, and in Transjordania., but troops continue to. arrive, laud confidence is felt that every movement can now bsj. checked.

Although for the present the British Government is concentrating on an effort to secure order in Palestine at the earliest possible moment, it is learned that a. full investigation of the condition of the country is likely to be undertaken immediately order is restored. A full meeting of the Cabinet cannot be held until the Prime Minister returns from Geneva. Meanwhile all available information is being collected and experts on the subject are being consulted.