SCHEME OPPOSED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22776, 9 July 1937, Page 11

SCHEME OPPOSED

FIRST REACTIONS BOTH SIDES OBJECT SPECIFIC COMPLAINTS TROOPS STANDING BY By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received July 8. 9.30 p.m.) JERUSALEM, July 8 The first reactions of both Arabs .and Jews to the report of the Palestine Commission are most unfavourable. Official Jewish bodies declare that they cannot conctive a Jewish political State without Jerusalem. Also they complain that the partition scheme is unjust because the new Arab State would have 15,000,000 acres, while the Jewish State would have only 1,250,000 acres. Arab official quarters, on the other hand, object to tho Jews getting 10 most fertile agricultural areas. Also they declare that the repatriation of tho Arab population from the Jewish Stato woukl bo unworkable as tho Arabs refuse to leave their present homes.

Complete military preparations have been made to prevent disorder. Troops arc standing by throughout the country. The Higli Commissioner, General Sir Arthur Wauchope, in a broadcast address, strongly urged the acceptance of the Commission's recommendations. Ho said tho partition scheme would create a new* era of goodwill and contentment alike for the Arabs and for the Jews.

JEWS' NATIONAL HOME NO MORE "MINORITY LIFE" THE BOON OF PEACE [by tklf.grafh—OWN correspondent] WELLINGTON, Thursday In connection with the plan for the partition of Palestine, the statement of Britain's policy says: "It would convert the Jewish national home into a Jewish State with full control over immigrants. Its nationals would acquire a status similar to that enjoyed by nationals of other countries. The Jews would at last cease to live a "minority life," and the primary objective of Zionism would thus bo attained. "Under the proposed treaties the rights of minorities in both States would ho strictly guaranteed. Above all, fear of molestation and suspicion would be replaced by a sense of confidence and security, and both peoples would obtain, in the words of the commission, 'tho inestimable boon of peact I .' "