MIDDLE EAST PROBLEMS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16454, 16 June 1921, Page 5

MIDDLE EAST PROBLEMS.

BRITISH POLICY,

By Telegraph—Press Association —Coyyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association

LONDON, June 14. In the House of Commons, in committee of supply on the Middle East Mr Churchill made a statement Government policy. He reminded the House that the Government, having accepted the mandate, must endeavour to do its duty honourably, and discharge the obligations which it 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 unlimited. A point might be reached when we should have to admit failure, and that we not .be justified in demanding r sacrifices from the taxpayer. Mr Churchill added that, after the most careful and unprejudiced consideration of tile whole subject, it would be untrue to say that we had failed or y? a t our resources did not enable us to discharge our obligations. At the time the armistice was signed, over 700,000 soldiers, followers and refugees were o n the pay lists. The rationing strength now had been reduced to 200,000. The estimated expenditure f°r the current year in Mesopotamia and Palestine, when all reductions had been given effect to, amounted to £35,000,000. The estimated expenditure next year would not exceed nine or ten millions. The Government was prepared to create a distinctly Arab Government in Mesopotamia elected by a National Assembly, with an Arab army for national defence. The policy was to create an Arab State in Irak, friendly to Britain. Feisul had been informed that if he was acceptable to the people as ruler, the xfritisli Government would support him** There was greater danger of trouble in Palestine this year than i n 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 considerablv reduced. The Zionist immigration scheme had introduced 7000 Jews, greatly to the disquiet of the Arabs, who believed that in the next few years oney would be swamped and driven out. These fears were quite illusory.

was Britain’s policy to assist France in Syria in every way Both must adopt a poliev of appeasement to the Turks and Arabs. If our policy' in Mesopotamia and Palestine was to be carried out successfully, we must have a lasting settlement with Turkey. If that were obtained, he was convinced that the Government’s policy in the .-.ear East would be successful.