IN PALESTINE

Hokitika Guardian, 4 September 1929, Page 5

IN PALESTINE

COLONIAL OFFICE REPORT.

COMMISSION OF ENQUIRY.

(British Official Wireless.)

(Received this day at 11 a.m.) RUGBY, September 3

Tlie Colonial Omce states the situation in Palestine is reported as generally quiet. In the north, however, local incidents took place. An attack on the police barracks at Hattin, eight miles west of Tiberias, during Sunday night, was successfully repulsed. 4llight hand to hand fighting took place at Yesud liamala, north of Lake: Tiberias, some arrests being made without casualties to British troops. The general attitude of trails-Jordan tribes is stated to he satisfactory, with the exception of two small areas in the north.

In a further communique, the Colonial Office says instructions were issued some days ago by the Palestine Government for the collection of evidence before it disappeared, as to whether the disorders which commenced on 23rd August were spontaneous or preconcerted. In the meantime while British forces are actively cooperating with Palestine Government in restoring order, energetic steps are being taken by the civil authorities to bring to trial guilty individuals. Alany arrests have been made, and considerable progress has already been made in dealing with summary cases. Especial measures are being taken to provide for impartial tribunals to cope with what probably will be a large number of cases. At the request of the High Commissioner, the Colonial Secretary is appointing a commission of inquiry which will proceed to Palestine this month, and enquire into the immediate causes of the recent outbreak, including the extent to which it may be regarded as having been organised action.

The Chairman of the Commission will he Sir Walter Shaw (late Chief Justice of Straits Settlements) and there will be associated with him three members of Parliament, selected one from each of the three political parties. in view of suggestions which have been made in certain quarters, the Colonial Secretary desires to make it clear that the British Government have no idea of reconsidering the British tenure of the mandate for Palestine, and that no enquiry is contemplated, which might alter the position of this country in regard to the mandate, or policy laid down in the Balfour declaration.fpf 1917, and embodied in the mandate of establishing in Palestine a national borne for Jews.

The enquiry now initiated is therefore limited to the immediate emergency and will not extend to considerations of the major policy. When the report has, been-received, it will he a matter .of earnest consideration by His Majesty’s Government' along what lines within the limits of the mandate, the future policy in Palestine should be determined.