SHARP WARNING TO TERRORIST

Chronicle (Levin), 1 July 1946, Page 8

SHARP WARNING TO TERRORIST

Received Bunday, 7 p.m. LONDON, .June 29. A sharp warning that the British Government would not tolerate the use of force in Palestine by either Arabs or Jews, was broadcast by the High Oommissioner, General Gi.i'. Alapy Ounningham,. after the aflScial " aniiduncey ment of the ratds. It had been repeatedly and consistently stated by the British Government that the Palestine problent was not oue to be settled by force and there could be no Cjuestion of allowing the issue to be forced by violent conflict, said General Cunningham. Britain had given constant warning that the use of force by either community would be resolutely dcalt with. Despite these warnings there had been, over a considerable period, a campaign of vilification, incitement, a-nd throaLs of violence not confined to one community. On the part of some members of the Jewish community there had been carried out serious outrages against life and property resulting in the loss of numerous lives, including many innoeent persons, and dajnage to property amounting to a sum of* great magnitude. Despite the most intense provocation, measures for the suppression of violence so far had been localised and conducted with the greatest tolerance and restraint, not tlirough weakness but as an earnest hope that reason and eonciliation would prevail and the country saved from large scale onerations.

"Now it is my dui^y to give a solemn warning that . the Government is firmly resolved to root out terrorism. Violence and lawlessnesS from whatevev source will, in future, be dealt with with the utmost vigour and determination. The object is to restore conditions of order without which no proferess can be made towards a solution of the Palestine problem," General Cunningham added. "The operations at present in' progress under the Commander-in-Chief, Middle East, are being undertaken as the first step with, this end in View. The measures are not direeted against the Jewish community us a xvhole but solely against those taking an active pkrt in the present campaign and those who are responsible for instigating aiid directing it. They are not reprisals. They are not punitive measures and will cease as soon as • their otiject is achieved. It has been necesshry temporarily to occupy the pretnises of thfe Jewish Agency owing to evidehch in

our hands as to the part it lias plaved in the organisation, direction of, and cooperation with the forces wliich carried out acts of violence "against the Government. It is not the intention at this time to proscribe or close tlie Agency. 5 ' Appealing for the peaceful cooperation of all -sections, General Cunningham called on those who might Ire considering violence to think of the misery they might bring on the country.