ARAB RISING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22850, 4 October 1937, Page 12

ARAB RISING

PALESTINE CRISIS TERRORIST CAMPAIGN NUMEROUS ARRESTS MADE STRONG BRITISH MEASURES By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received October 3, s.f> p.m.) LONDON. Oct. 2 An intensification of the terrorist campaign in Palestine, says a despatch from Jerusalem, has necessitated action against those whose activities are prejudicial to public security and who are morally responsible for the outrage of five days ago, when Arabs fatally shot Mr. L. Y. Andrews, District Commissioner of Galilee, and Mr. P. li. McEwan, a policeman, who had intended leaving shortly to bd married in New Zealand.

The Arab Higher Committee and all constituent bodies have boon declared illegal, and the authorities decided to round up its members. Tho Grand Mufti, Haj Am in el Husseini, president of the committee, and described as "the most influential Arab in Palestine," has been deprived of his office. Ho has taken refuge in the Mosquo of. Omar. Leading Arabs to be Deported A message from Cairo states that telephonic communication with Palestine is suspended, and there is considerable police and military activity. It is expected that a number of leading Arabs will be deported from Palestine. The British cruiser Sussex is standing by at Haifa to take off the deportees. All the land frontiers are strictly guarded. Many arrests followed the rejection of a demand —amounting to an ultimatum—from the Arabs that 200 people arrested in connection with the Galilee murders should bo released.

A censorship has been imposed forbidding news of or comment upon the arrests, except in official announcements. The Sussex will transport tho deportees to the Seychelles Islands. Those to be deported include Yaqubg Hussein, president of the Arab Youth Association; Dr. Hussein Klialadi, Mayor of Jerusalem; and Effendi Saba, secretary of tho Arab Higher Committee. Arab President Evades Arrest Warrants were issued for the arrest of Haji Ibraham, manager of an Arab bank, and Sheik Seoud, one of tho Mufti's advisers.

Many important documents were found in the bank.

An Arab, on refusing to halt after being challenged by a British sentry, was fatally shot.

The departure of the Boyal Sussex Begiment from Palestine to Egypt has been cancelled. ,

Only Husseini evaded arrest. The others are on board the Sussex destined for the Seychelles.

Campaign to be Continued

All is now quiet but police leave has been cancelled and armoured cars are patrolling the highways. All officers and troops have been instructed to carry revolvers and side arms respectively. The Government's coup is believed to have nullified concerted action by the Arabs, who boast that others will carry on the campaign. Both voluntarily and under intimidation, bands of youths in Jerusalem are celebrating the birth of the Prophet. Arabs are extensively closing their shops as a protest against the arrests. The movement is expected to extend to other towns but emergency regulations permit the authorities to order the reopening of shops. GRAND MUFTI BARRED FROM APPOINTMENT FURTHER ARRESTS REPORTED (Received October 3, G. 30 p.m.) JERUSALEM. Oct. '2 A decree ha 3 been issued which renders the Grand Mufti ineligible for appointment to the presidency of the Supreme Moslem Courts, to which his supportci-L were endeavouring to secure his election. New arrests include three notables at J alia. These have resulted in threats of general strikes there and at Nablus. COMMENT BY TIMES GREAT RELIEF FORESEEN BRITISH ACTION TIMELY (Received Octobor 3. 7.5 p.m.) British Wireless RUGBY. Oct. 2 Commenting on the action taken by the British authorities in Palestine, the Times says it will cause feelings of intense relief in many quarters in that country. "This relief," says the Times, "will not bo confined to Jews. "Before the end of last year's disturbances several prominent Arabs of moderate views had been killed or attacked by terrorist gunmen. Since the middle of April nine Arab notables have been murdered, two have been wounded and many more have been blackmailed. All these men were opponents or critics of tho policy of tho Mufti of Jerusalem. "The influence of the Grand Mufti is likely to bo shaken. Ho has lost two high offices which gave him control of largo funds and tho appointment of about 1500 clerics, who must preach his politics. Those losses may well roduco his status to that of an Arab politician among other politicians. "It must be recognised that the unfortunate effects of the long and useless experiment in conciliation attempted by Sir Arthur Wauchope will not disappear immediately, and that effect cannot bo given to tho recommendations of tho Royal Commission until tho British mandatory authorities have restored public confidence by ensuring tho order and security which the Holy Land deserves."