BALFOUR DECLARATION

Hawera Star, Volume L, 27 October 1930, Page 9

BALFOUR DECLARATION

“VIOLATION OF PROMISE” JEWS AND PALESTINE general smuts concerned. (United Preen Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright.) CAPE TOWN, Oct, 24. As one of those responsible for the Balfour Declaration Gteneral Smuts cabled Mr. Ramsay MacDonald stating that the declaration was a definite promise to the Jewish world that the policy of a national home would be actively prosecuted and was intended to rally powerful Jewish influence for the Allied cause at the darkest hour and, as such, it was approved by the United States and other Allies and accepted by the Jews in good faith. “It cannot now be varied unilaterally by. Britain; it represents a debt of honour and must be discharged in full 'at all costs. Most strongly I urge that a Government statement be issued that the Balfour Declaration will be carried r out and the Government policy recast accordingly.” Mr. MacDonald replied: “[ feel sure that your views are based on an in-, complete cabled summary of the state-

ment of policy. 1 think you will admit, in the light of facts recently brpught to our notice, that the stnteof policy cannot fairly be described as a retreat from the declara-

tion, which insured that nothing would L be done to prejudice the civil and reL ligiuos rights of the existing non- ■ Jewish communities.” I He was convinced that the policy I was not only in accordance with the r mandatory obligations, hut also was designed in tho best interests of the two sections of Palestine population, whose welfare was a sincere concern of the Government.