OFFICIAL SILENCE ON PALESTINE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3090, 22 May 1917, Page 5

OFFICIAL SILENCE ON PALESTINE

WHAT IS WRONG AT GAZA?

PRESS UNEASINESS

London, May 20. There is much comment on the official silence about the Palestine campaign. Tho."Pall Mall Gazette" says: "fho sequel suggests that the Gaza battle was jess favourable than the official reports indicate. The impression prevails that our objective was not obtained, and that the casualties were high."—Aus.-N,Z. Cable Assn. MARTIAL LAW IN JERUSALEM London, May 20. The United Service states that the strictest martial law prevails in Jerusalem. Tho schoolß are closed, newspapers are prohibited, and the official archives and treasures havo been hurried northward. The Turks aro brutally treating foreigners. . The Jewish Society of Palestine telegraphed to the Socialist! Conference" in Stockholm that the Turkish Government has ordered the Jews to evacuate Palestine, including Judea, Jerusalem, and Galilee, and that the order is being enforced with increasing severity. Pillage is rampant, and threatens to culminate in a massacre similar to that in Armenia.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE FUTURE OF PALESTM A SELF-GOVERNING JEWISH ■ , COMMUNITY. . (Rec. May 21, 5.50 p.m.) London, May 20. Dr. Wiseman, presiding at the English [Zionist Conference, said that though it was premature to talk of the establishment of an Independent Jewish State, he had officially informed the Allied Governments that he favoured granting to the Jews self-government in Palestine, under the protection of one of the great Powers. The highest Eoman Catholic authorities did not object to a capable settlement of the control of the' holy i places.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. i