BRITISH POLICY ON ARMS FOR ARAB AND JEW

Chronicle (Levin), 1 May 1948, Page 5

BRITISH POLICY ON ARMS FOR ARAB AND JEW

Received Friduv, S.oO p.m. LONDON, April 30. "When Air. Beviu was (juestioned in the Uommons regarding the position of tlie Arab Legion in Palestine (which is chietly Brit ish-ollicered ) 011 the termination of the mandate, he replied: "The inlention is that tlie withdrawal from I'ule.Uine shouhl be eomplete before tlie termination of the mandate. His Alajesty's (lovernment is obliged by treaty to ]>ay a subsidy to Transjordan in respeet of the Arab Legion and to provide eertain British . serviee personnel for serviee with that foree. Tliese ttiiligat ions will stili be in foree after [he termination of the mandate for Palestine. "The treaty provides, of eourse, that lothing in it slnill prejudiee Ihe rights unl obligations devolving 011 either aarty under the Fnited Nations Ohar:er. " Asked whether supplies would coninue if Transjordan took military letion, Air. Bev^n said the matter was icl'ore United Nations aifd he niust iwait the result of the discussion there. The Arab Legion was formed as a le.sert poliee foree in 11)21. It. is ad- . ninistered by King Abdu'llali w'ho is j (ranted a subsidy of £2, (100, 000 annual- j y. It numbers abont 10,000 and is 1 •omnianded by the eolourful ligure, | Migadier Jolin Glubh. He is beloved l )f the Arabs who '-all him Abu Huneikj vliich means "cleft chin" and ret'ers | 0 a wound which in the First World 1 A'ar elipped off a ])ieee of his jaw. There are two tvpes of British offieers ' :oi;ving with the Legion: Firstlv, regu- j ars seconded by the War Ofilce for

ilent to tlie Legion; secondlv, members : of the Keserve of Oflicers such as j Glulili who had taken serviee under the Palestine Government and had been I leut under eontract to the Governmeiit I 01 Transjordan. I To an inipiirv abont the supplv of • arms to Arai) States, Air. Bevin said he I wouhl not suspeud the ileliveries for a | period beeause of some States' announeed intention to invade Palestine after .May 15. The Governments eoneerned were under an obligation to en sure tliat the arnianients and essential eipiipment of their forees should not dilTer in type from those of the British i'orees. Ile added: " We niust naturallyexpect that when they place contracts in this country we shall, carry them out as speedilv as is tefhnically yiossible. Air. Cocks (Labour member for Broxtowe) impiired whether the (lovernment would either suspend deliveries or let the Jews have arms with whieh to. defeml themsehes. Air. Bevin: From my information at the moineut it seems to me that the Jews are tlie better armed of the two. I have nu intention of iiiterf'ering until I get the decision of the United Nations. From that I refuse to move. Air. Co.-ks: Vou will let the people be murdeivd before you arrest the nian? Air. Beviu: No. J have warne^L •both . Jews and Arabs. 1 appealed to * them 111 London aml warned tliem that Ave would leave Palestine. And you must remember the British sergeants were hanged to the tree — and not by Arabs. (juestioned abont the reported Arab meeung at Ainman, Air. Bevin said: "I have 110 information about the meeting. 1 say to tlie Jews and Arabs — the Arabs are not in this house (loud cheers) — the way for both of you to settle this is to stop iighting. "