PALESTINE.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 May 1918, Page 2

PALESTINE.

FIGHTING AROUND JERUSALEM

LONDON, May 3. Palestine official:—“We resumed operations eastward of Jordan on'May Ist, while the infantry attacked tho enemy‘at the foothills south-westward and southward of Essaalt. The Australian mounteds entered the village, taking 33 German prisoners and 317 Turks.

During these operations the mounted brigade, which watched crossings of the Jordan at Jisredamie, was attacked, and. forced back by superior, numbers of the enemy who crossed the river during the night. The horse artillery and batteries supporting this brigade in most difficult broken country, were obliged to abandon nine guns. The necessary support" from a detached brigade was immediately forth coming.

Operations are proceeding. We repulsed local attacks at several points westward of the Jordan.

THE ZIONIST COMMISSION

JERUSALEM, May 2.

Reuter’s Jerusalem correspondent states that the Zionist Commission arrived on the. 10th and were accorded an enthusiastic reception. There was a great demonstration. At the proposed University site, Doctor Weizmann, speaking on behalf of tlie Commission, said the. people were most grateful to the British Government for the declaration regarding the future of file Jews and .Palestine. Major Ormsby Gore, replying on behalf of the Government, declared that a prosperous and contented Palestine could only be possible by the Jews working in harmony with other'groups.

TWO-THIRDS GONE.

Received, th.s day at 8.45 a.m. - LONDON, May 3. Doctor Weizmann, speaking at the Zionist Commission’s reception at Jerusalem, said Jerusalem had lost twothirds of its Jewish inhabitants through exile, typhus and starvation.