STILL GRAVER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 125, 28 May 1936, Page 7

STILL GRAVER

PALESTINE SITUATION MORE TROOPS BEING SENT JEWISH FAMILIES FLEEING [By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright! Received May 27, 11.50 pm. LONDON, May 27. More British troops are reported to be leaving Egypt to-day for Palestine, where rhe situation is described as graver than at any time since the crisis began. The News-Chronicle’s Jerusalem correspondent reports that the whole of Palestine is dgav challenged by Arab terrorism. Hardly an hour passes without violence, arson or shooting attackson police and troops. The Arabs are' becoming bolder, especially in northern Palestine, wire re individual am bushings are assuming almost the character of risings. Motor conveys are attacked despite armed escorts. The NablusHaifa road is reported to have been mined. British women and children from the Nablus area have been brought to Jerusalem, from which scores of Jewish families arc fleeing. British officials at Jaff have established headquarters in the neighbouring town of Tel-Aviv after sending their families to Haifa in a warship. The police used Lewis guns On Arab barricades at Jaffa. SERIOUS DISTURBANCES TRIBUTE TO CITIZENS A SPIRIT OF RESTRAINT [ British Official Wireless, j RUGBY, May 26. In the House of Commons, Lord Cranbornc, the Dominions’ Secretary, in an answer regarding disturbances in Palestine, said, a state of uurest accompanied by sporadic acts of violence still continued. Press reports indicated tnat the most serious disturbances which had taken place occurred at Gaza yesterday. He was glad to say that order had been restored there. In addition to other measures, tUe High Commissioner had taken steps to ivstrict the movements of agitators and strike leaders. Authority was gixeu earlier in the year for increases in the British and in the Palestinian sections of the police, and the High Commissioner recently authorised the enrolment of a number of ex-constables as supernumerary police. As the House was aware, the military garrison had been substantially reinforced since the outbreak of unrest. Regarding the appointment of a Royal Commission after order had been restored, there was no reason to suppose this would not be generally acceptable. Lt was not yet possible to make any statement about the terms of reference or personnel of the Commission. In an address at the Levant Lair at Tel Aviv, the High Commissioner, .'••ir Arthur Wane hope, referred to “the most regrettable disturbances and many acts of lawlessness during the last few weeks,” and said: ‘‘During the past four weeks law-abiding citizens in this country have undvr deep provocation shown a restrain which is highly appreciated by me. This spirit of restraint is admirable in itself, and most helpful to the Government.” •