IN PALESTINE

Hokitika Guardian, 9 July 1937, Page 5

IN PALESTINE

REPORT RESULTS BRITISH GOVERNMENT ACTION. (Per British Official Wireless.) - RUGBY, July 7. In accordance with the Palestine Royal Commission report the Government proposes to take. such steps a-> are‘necessary and appropriate, having regard to its existing treaty obligations under tlie Covenant of the League of Nations, and ot..er intemationa instruments to obtain freedom, to give effect to the scheme of partition, and to which it earnestly hopes it may be possible to secure an effective measure of consent on the part of the communities concerned. Pending the establishment of such scheme, the British Government has no intention of surrendering its responsibility for peace, order and good government throughout Palestine. In the immediate future, while the form of the scheme of partition is being worked out, it proposes, as interim measure, steps should be taken to prohibit any land transactions which might prejudice the scheme. Further it proposes that a total Jewish immigration in all categories of 8,000 persons, shall be permitted for eight months in the period August 1937 to March 1938, provided the economic absorptive capacity of the country is not exceeded. In supporting the solution of the Palestine problem by means of partition, the Government is much impressed by the advantages which it offers both to Arabs and Jews. The Arabs would obtain their national independence, and thus be enabled to co-oper-ate on an equal footing with the Arabs in neighbouring countries in the cause of Arab unity and progress. They would finally be delivered from all fear of Jewish domination and anxiety lest their holy places should ever come under Jewish control. The Arab State would receive substantial financial assistance from Britain, and the Jewish State. On the other hand, partition would secure the establishment of a- Jewish national home, without fear of future Arab rule. Partition would also convert the Jewish national home into a Jewish State with full control over immigration, and the nationals would acquire a status similar to that enjoyed by nationals of other countries. Jews would at last cease to live a minority life, and tlie primary objective of Zionism would thus be attained. The lights of minorities would be strictly guaranteed in both States under the proposed treaties. Fear and suspicion would he replaced by confidence and * security, and both peoples would enjoy peace. The Conimission concludes that peace under the Mandate can be maintained only by repression, which however, does not solve the problem, nor does it help towards a single-self governing Palestine. The British will not,flinch from the task on continuing to govern Palestine under the Mandate, if they are in honour bound to do so, but they would be justified in asking if there is no other way their duty can be done. Giving the Arabs and Jews all they want will not solve the problem. No fair-minded statesman can think it right’ that 400,000 Jews, whose entry into Palestine has been facilitated by the British Government, and approved by the League of Nations, should he handed over to Arab rule, or that i) the Jews should become the majority, one.million Arabs should be handed over to their rule. / ■ The Commission recognises -the difficulties of partition are certainly very great, but they do not seem so insuperable as the difficulties inherent in a continuance of the Mandate, or the other alternative arrangement. Partition offers the chance of ultimate peace no other plan does. The Commission’s report outlines the boundaries of the proposed partition, and refers to the duties of Britain under the suggested Mandate for holy places. It also makes suggestions for a solution of the financial difficulties, and the ownership of land arising from partition. RUSH FOR COPIES. LONDON, July 7. There was an unusual scene outside the office in Ivingsway where Government publications are sold and hundreds, including many Jews, clamouring for copies of the Palestine Commission’s report at (5s fid each. Complete military preparations have been made in Palestine to prevent disorder. There are troops standing bv throughout the country. GOVERNOR’S BROADCAST. LONDON, July 8. The Governor of Palestine, Lord Wnuchope, in a broadcast, strongls urged the acceptance of the Royal Commission’s recommendations by tin* inhabitants. He said that the part t.on scheme would create a new era of poodwill and contentment alike for Arabs and Jews. JEWISH VIEWPOINT. LONDON. July 8. t A message from Jerusalem says that the first reactions, both of tlm Arabs and the Jews, to the Royal Commission’s report are most unfavourable. Official Jewish bodies declare tbev cannot conceive of a Jewish political state witho”' Jerusalem. They also

complain that the partition scheme is unjust, because the new Arab state would have fifteen million acres, while th Jewish state would have only 1250 thousand acres. ARABS UNSATISFIED. LONDON. July 8. The reaction of the Arabs to the Royal Commission’s report is most unfavourable. The Arab official quarters object to the Jews getting the most fertile agricultural areas of Palestine. They also declare that the repatriation of the Arab population from the Jewish State will prove unworkable as the Arabs will refuse to leave their present homes.