ARAB AND JEW.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 20 June 1936, Page 13

ARAB AND JEW.

ASSURED FUTURE IN PALESTINE COLONIAL SECRETARY'S STATEMENT GOVERNMENT’S DESIRE (British Oilieial Wireless) (Received 20th June, 2.0 p.m.) RUGBY, 19tli June. The House ot Commons discussed the situation in Palestine, and the Colonial Secretary, Mr Ormsby Gore, made a statement in which he described the disorders and the measures taken to meet them. By a new regulation, firing at a member of His Majesty’s Forces or the police, and oombing throwing with intention to cause death or injury, were made punishable by sentence of death or life imprisonment. The Colonial Secretary also stated

that the total death roll to date was 74 persons. He said that he took the opportunity of expressing the Government’s complete confidence in Sir Arthur Wauchope, and their appreciation of his fine work during his time as High Commissioner. He paid a special tribute to the Palestine police, British, Jew and Arab, for their devotion to duty and their loyalty in trying circumstances. He also paid a tribute to the Jews in Palestine, who despite extreme provocation and attacks used most commendable selfrestraint. He was glad to say that the situation in the immediate neighbouring mandated territory was almost entirely undisturbed and there had been no crime or outrage whatever. The Government had not been and would not be moved by violence and outrage. As soon as order was restored, but not before, a Royal Commission would visit Palestine to carry out a most full and searching investigation into the causes of unrest and the grievances alleged by either Arab or Jew. The Arab people were rightly proud of their historical achievements and their contributions to civilisation, and there had been traditional friendship between Britain and the Arab people which the Government valued, and which it was their earnest desire to see preserved. The Government had also an obligation under the Balfour Declaration to realise the age-long aspiration of the Jews all over the world for a centre in Palestine. There was at present, said the Colonial Secretary, a state of apprehension on both sides. “The Arabs are afraid that the Jews will, completely dominate the country, and they fear for the future of their own race and the homes of their fathers. The Jews are equally afraid that the great and really remarkable constructive work they have already done in Palestine will be cut short, and the national home on which they have set their heart will be brought to nought, and that the Arabs will seek to drive them out of Palestine. I confidently believe that both these fears are baseless, but they must be shown to be baseless. It is the desire of the Government to find a solution consistent with their fundamental dual obligation.” They wanted Arabs and Jews to realise that both had an assured future in Palestine, and that the whole object of the British Government in that country was that both should be able to live in ! peace and amity in a land holy to the 1 three great faiths of the civilised world

Mr Tom Williams who spoke for the Opposition, and Mr Lloyd George, both welcomed the Colonial Secretary’s statement, and endorsed his firm declaration that the Government would honour its obligations to the Arabs and Jews equally. Mr Lloyd George said that the present Arab demands amounted to asking the British Government to tear up its obligations and end the mandate. No British Government could do that.