IN PALESTINE

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 5 September 1929, Page 9

IN PALESTINE

LATE EDITION

SETTING UP OF INQUIRY. APPROVED BY PRESS. THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS. i PULbli Oiiiiuai VWk-i' fss./ r , LOG BY, Sept. 4. 'l_he announcement that, a commission oi inquiry into the Palestine incidents is -being appointed is approved by the .Press. The “Daily telegraph’’ says: “The Colonial Secretary’s (Lord Passheld) prompt action is admiraible.” TJie “Daily Chronicle" says that the terms, oi reference tor flic inquiry are the right ones, and il. entirely approves ol the firm words in which it is stated in Du* ofiioial announctnumt unit Mis .Majesty's Government has no idea ol reconsidering Britain's tenure of the mandate aim no inquiry is contempl.itt<l wiiioli might a.ltei the position .oi this country m regard to the mandate or policy laid down ,n the Balfour declaration.

The “Manchester Guardian,’' discussing the appointment of the commission and the statement on the subject by the Prime Minister at Geneva, says the troubles in Palestine seem to have subsided almost completely. 'They were serious enough while they lasted, hut the Jehad or holy war, which some observers .seem to have anticipated, lias not materia list'd. There is a certain effervescence in the Moslem world, but it is not warlike. “The attitude of that great statesman., Ibn Sand, is of real importance, tor his influence in the Arab world is unsurpassed,” says the “Guardian.'’ He has left no doubt that he does not dream of promoting anti-British movements in Palestine. Indeed, his sentiments appear to be in complete harmony with the theme of the Jit. Hon. Ramsay MacDonald, whose statement at Geneva, should give satisfaction to all.” The Colonial Office states that on Monday night a party of mounted Arabs, attacked the village of Talpiotli, two miles south of Jerusalem, which was occupied by British troops. The attack was repulsed with loss to the assailants. Our troops, in conjunction with the Palestine police, have carried out searches based on Jaffa, Bethelem and Jerusalem, 1.70 arrests being made at the village of AValata, in the neighbourhood of Jerusalem. Sixty individuals, including two important agitators, have been arrested at Beisin. Rumours continue to indicate the passage of Arabs into Palestine on the north-east-ern frontier. No concerted tribal movement, is believed to be taking place, but isolated marauding bands maintain unrest in that area. The Haifa, Gaza, and Jaffa areas are all reported to be quiet while Transjordan is tranquil. The whole country is systematically patrolled by aircraft.

BUILDING OVER WAILING WALL

DESPITE JEWISH PROTESTS. ' Australian Pr-ess A^ociatum —United Service.) Received 12.45 p.m. to-day. JERUSALEM, Sept. 4. The Superior Moslem Council, despite Jewish protests, has begun to erect a new building immediately above the Wailing Wall. The matter is being considered by the Government. Strong Government, action prevented Moslem demonstrations at Jerusalem. Jaffa, Haifa, and Nablus. Two hundred Arabs were arrested at Lifta and 120 at Hebron, where many Jews were previously massacred. It is now reported that cases of .Tews molesting Arabs, both Christian and Moslem, are increasing the police difficulties. ALL OFFENDERS TO BE BP OUG HT TO TRIAL. Received 1.15 p.m. to-day. JERUSALEM. Sept. 4. The High Commissioner of Palestine has issued a proclamation stating that all offenders, without distinction of race or creed, will be brought to trial.