PALESTINE PLAN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 250, 3 August 1937, Page 5

PALESTINE PLAN

MANDATES COMMISSION’S PART. NO DEFINITE PRONOUNCEMENT. FIVE POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS. (United Press AssDciation—Copyright.) (Received This Day, 11.40 a.m.) GENEVA, August 2. Mr W. Ormsby Gore (British Secretary of State for the Colonies) underwent a gruelling questioning for 3} hours before the Mandates Commission of the League of Nations on Britain’s plan regarding Palestine. Hie was asked about the position of minorities, the treatment of women, the possibilities of defence, and the composition of the Boundary Commission. The Commission arrived at a final decision with regard to its task. It will not make any pronouncement for or against partition, but will set out the advantages and disadvantages of five possible solutions, namely:— Firstly, maintenance of the existing .mandate. Secondly, modification of the mandate. Thirdly, division into cantons on the Swiss style. Fourthly, suggested partition. Finally, any other possibility arising from the discussions. . In the meantime certain Arab quarters here are pressing the idea of a round-table Arab-Jewish conference in Palestine, arguing that if Arab-Jewish parity is achievable and Jewish emigration to trans-Jordan guaranteed, the necessity for partition will be obviated. GENERAL SMUTS’ MISGIVING. IMPORTANCE OF THE MANDATE. (Received This Day, 10.50 a.m.) JOHANNESBURG, August 2. General Smut 9, in a message to the Zionist Conference, expressed grave misgivings over the partition of Palestine, declaring that clashes between Jew and Arab were small by comparison with the international strategic importance of preserving the British mandate and a Jewish national home.