ARAB ENMITY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 247, 18 October 1937, Page 7

ARAB ENMITY

PALESTINE OUTRAGES A BRITISHER’S HEROISM ATTACK ON RAIDERS (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright)) JERUSALEM, Oct. 15. The hero of the train which was blown up by a land mine 2o miles from Jaifa was a British constable whose promptness and courage saved the lives of many Jewish Arabs attempted to board the train and rout the Jews. The constable Killed the first raider and when his revolver had been emptied he snatched a rifle from an accompanying Arab and drove oil the remainder. He then travelled on loot across country and obtained help. It is stated that the constable’s name is not being divulged owing to the fear of an Arab blood feud, a custom which might lead to revenge. All night trains have been banned. Two British policemen were shot dead in ® clash with Arabs on tne Bethlehem main road before dawn. The police leraned of the concentration of an armed gang near So.omon’s Pool and rushed out with Tour tenders equipped wit.i Lewis guns and searchlights. They encountered heivv rifle fire from ’Doth sides of the road, lhe police opened fire and inflicted heavy casualties on the Arabs, who were routed. TELEGRAM TO MUSSOLINI LIBYAN ARABS’ ATTITUDE TO PALESTINE Received Oct. 17, 7.5 p.m ROME, Oct. 16. It is announced that chiefs of the most important Arab tribes in Libya telegraphed Signor Mussolini assuring him of their solidarity with the Palestine Arabs “following recent events.” GRAND MUFTI ESCAPES MANY MORE ARRESTS CURFEW IN JERUSALEM JERUSALEM, Oct. 15. Yesterday's terrorism is reported to have been prompeted by a desire to divert the attention of the police and enable the Grand Mufti to escape from a mosque where he has taken refuge since the order for his arrest was made. There were many arrests after the outrages. Curfew throughout Jerusalem at 6 p.m. has been proclaimed. Members of the Black Watch are patrolling the streets with Lewis guns. The wives and children of the police at Hebron are being transferred to Jerusalem as a precautionary measure. HEADING FOR CAIRO _ CAIRO, Oct. 15. The Grand Mufti is reported to be on his way to Cairo after his escape. He is due by this evening’s train and is disguised. GRAND MUFTI IN SYRIA Received Oct. 17, 8.20 p.m. JERUSALEM, Oct. 16. Believed to be the result of sabot* age, the customs shed, wireless room and other buildings at Lydda airport were burned out. It is now established that the Grand Mufti has arrived in Syria. Five more Arab leaders have beei arrested and taken to the concentration camp at Acre, where 200 otheil suspects arrested throughout the country have been interned. FURTHER ARRESTS MADE Received Oct. 17, 8.10 p.m. JERUSALEM, Oct. 17. During the past 12 hours 150 minor Arab leaders and agitators have been arrested. The authorities, failing to secure Najielneh, suspected as a participant in yesterday’s disturbances, haev seized his 15-year-old son as a hostage. Major-General Wavell, British commander, has imposed a curfew at Lydda and has ordered the destruction of several houses as a reprisal for the sabotage at the airport where the damage is estimated at £5OOO.

STORY OF ESCAPE FRENCH REQUEST TO SYRIA Received Oct. 17, 11.55 p.m. JERUSALEM, Oct. 16. The Grand Mufti, after he hal spread a report of his illness, fled to the Mosque Omar disguised as a Bedouin with hooded burnous. With other followers and guarded by 2(1 mounted Bedouins, later he motored 60 miles to Gaza, where he boarded a motor-launch for Syria. It was intended to connect with a motor to the Lebanese coast, but the Grand Mufti missed the motor-car. A French coastguard cutter overhauled the motor-launch and discovered the identity of the Grand Mufti, whom they escorted to Beyrout. The authorities requested him to depart and he then went on to Damascus, where it is believed he was joined by his nephew, Jamal Husseini, who escaped arrest on October 1. Apparently Husseini organised the Grand Mufti's escape. It is suggested that they are now able to organise an anti-Government campaign in Palestine from Damascus, but the French High Commissioner has requested the Syrian Republic to forbid such activities. The Grand Mufti may go either to Turkey or to Iraq. Coincidentally with the Grana Mufti's flight the Palestine Administration have taken over the Moslem religious endowment trusts or the Wakf, from which the Grand Mufti derived much of his power. The Grand Mufti, before his flight, issued a manifesto ordering his coreligionists to continue the fight against oppression.