RIOTING, SHOOTING AND ARSON

Chronicle (Levin), 3 December 1947, Page 5

RIOTING, SHOOTING AND ARSON

(N.Z.P.A.—

-Reyter.

ARABS AND JEWS GIVE VENT TO HATREDS

. Copyright)

Received Wefdnesday, 11.10 a.m. LONDON, December 2. Haganah fire squads stood by in Zion Square, Jerusalem, tonight in ease the Arabs broke out in the eurfew which the British authorities clamped down on the Arab quarter after a day of rioting, says Reuter's Jerusalem correspondent. British troops barricaded the British civil and military headquarters at the King David Hotel.

British Army fire hrigades had been summoned in the afternoon from outlying camps as Arab fire raisers set a task beyond local resources. More than 50 Jewish shops were burning at the one tirne during the day and the Jews, in retaliation, set fire to one of the biggest Arab cinemas, The Rex, but the British and Haganah combined to keep the liysterical crowd apart and prevent the bedlam in Jerusalem turning into a* serious race battle. The casualty figures available eariy this evening showed that two Jews were dead and 27 wounded. Five Arabs were wounded and many more slightly injured on both sides. The Associated Press' correspondent describes watching the "cauldron of mass hysteria" as both Arabs 'and Jews gave vent to passionate hatreds and their lust for. blood. The correspondent says that both sides tastsd blood and their thirst has not yet been quenched. The Jewish lea'ders tonight appeared to be successfully curbing Jewish attempts at reprisals. The British police arrested six Jews, stated to have been found sniping at Arabs, and two others carrying hand grenades. A Haganah spokesman said the Jews would give the Arabs another 24 hours before taking retaliatory actiori. The British authorities have extended the dusk to dawn curfew

to mid-'day tomorrow to give both sides a chance to cool down. The British United Press' correspondent says that practically every Jewish shop in the Damaseus Gate and Mamillah Road areas was set on fire or had its windows broken. Each time the Arab mobs were broken up they reformed and renewed their attacks with greater ferocity. When a Jewish mob, seeking revenge, tried to reach Zion Square, Haganah for the first time was forced into an open operation with the British authorities. One thousan'd Arabs who attempted to move on the old walled city repeatedly charged the city police and troops with armoured cars. The cars, in a counter charge, ran doyra an Arab urchin, but were prevented from re'Scuing him. by renewed Arab attacks. The correspondent estimates the damage to Jewish property at £250,000. At mid-day about 2000 Jews began a counter-attack against the Arabs. They stonne'd through the police barriers and wrecked Arab shops, cinemas and cafes until the streets were littered with goods from the shops. By miclafternoon it was officially announced that the situation in Jerusalem was under control. Rioting, shooting and arson are reported elsewhere in Palestine. A Jew was killed by Arabs near Ramleh. Two others are reported to have been shat at Tel Aviv. Other Jews and also Arabs were injured.