ARAB PLEA FOR ARMISTICE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22544, 8 October 1936, Page 10

ARAB PLEA FOR ARMISTICE

The reported Arab proposal for an armistice in Palestine, although the cessation of hostilities may be severely conditional, is a welcome suggestion that a turning in the long lane of quarrel can be reached. Friendly mediation seems to have played a part in inducing the insurto consider terms of peace, but it is probable that the firm steps taken by the British Government have also had an influence. These steps have had no precedent in Arab experience. It has been possible hitherto for the tribesmen to look upon British soldiers as patrols of police instructed to keep order when dissension between Arab and Jew has become acute and unruly. Their interference has been resented, but they have not themselves been direct objects of hatred. But in this latest outbreak a new feature, really sinister, appeared when Arab attacks were made on the first detachments of British troops sent to reinforce the British and native police. Responsible Arab leaders, according to credible informants, discountenanced these attacks ; these leaders looked no further than an achievement of their rebellious purpose in endorsing the original strike, and were content with a mere defiance of constituted local authority as embodied in the police. But the revolt soon passed out of their control and became a frenzied campaign of reprisals. So, when British soldiery took a hand in the conflict, they were made the special object of violence. Now the nature of the British Government's reply to this frontal challenge is being .realised, and the wisdom of heeding that reply is manifest to the organisers of the revolt. Yet they cannot immediately recover their hold on the rebellious movement, and therefore no more than a conditional armistice is sought by them lest they anger afresh those prone to get out of hand. Their own eagerness for a diplomatic victory is apparently as keen as ever, and they appear to be taking the only way that promises this while keeping the rank and file, at least temporarily, from excesses that may ruin the cause.