THE MIDDLE EAST.

Otago Witness, Issue 3510, 21 June 1921, Page 24

THE MIDDLE EAST.

GREAT BRITAIN’S MANDATE. LONDON. June 14

In Committee of Supply on the Middle East vote, Mr Churchill made a state-

ment in regard to the Government’s policy. He reminded the House that the Government, having accepted a mandate, must endeavour to do its duty honourably and to discharge the obligations which it had entered upon with its eyes open. The Government must resolutely redeem its reputation, whether the course was popular or unpopular. He admitted that the obligation was not limited. A point might be reached when we would have to admit failure, and when we would not be justified in demanding* further sacrifices from the taxpayer. Mr Churchill added that after the most careful and unprejudiced consideration of the whole subject it would bo untrue to say that we had failed or that our resources did net enable us to discharge our obligations in England. Continuing, Mr Churchill said that at tho time the armistice was signed over 700,000 soldiers, their followers, and refugees were on the pay lists. The rationing strength was now reduced to 200,000. The estimated expenditure for the current year in Mesopotamia and Palestine when all reductions were given effect to amounted to £35,000,000. It was estimated that the expenditure next year would not exceed £9,000,000 or £10,000,000. The Government was prepared to create a distinctly Arab Government in Mesopotamia, ejected by the National Assembly, with an Arab army for national defence. The policy was to create an Arab State in Irak which would be friendly to Great Britain. Emir Feisul had been informed that if lie were acceptable to the people as ruler the British Government would support him. Mr Churchill added that there was a greater danger of trouble in Palestine this year than in Mesopotamia. The only cause for unrest in Palestine arose out of the Zionist movement and our promises regarding it. But for that the existing British garrison might be considerably reduced. The Zionist immigration sclieme introduced 7000 Jews, chiefly Arabs, w'ho believed that in the next few years they would be swamped and driven out. Those fears were quite iliusory. It was Britain’s policy fo assist Frmice in Syria in every way. ' Both must adopt a policy of appeasement to the Turks and Arabs. If our policy in Mesopotamia and Palestine was to be carried out successfully. yve must have a lasting settlement with Turkey. If that were obtained he was convinced that the Government’s policy in the Near East would be successful. In the House of Commons Lord Robert Cecil said that he approved of Mr Cliurchill’s policy. He regretted that it bad not been tarried out two and a-half years ago. General Townsliend described the Arabs in Mesopotamia as treacherous. He said they only respected force and strength. Mr Harmsworth urged withdrawal from Mesopotamia and Palestine on the ground that we could not afford the expenditure. THE POPE’S ALLOCUTION. ROME, June 14. A passage in the Pope’s allocution during the secret consistory is attracting attention. The Pope savs that the situation of the Christians in' Palestine has not not been improved, but has been made worse bv the new civil arrangements, which "are ousting Christianity from its previous position, and putting Judaism in its place. The allocution exhorts Christians, including non-Catholic Governments, to insist that the League of Nations examine the British mandate.