MIDDLE EAST.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 June 1921, Page 5

MIDDLE EAST.

BRITAIN’S OBLIGATIONS, . DISCHARGE OF THE MANDATE. MESOPOTAMIA AND PALESTINE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received June 15, 10.10 p.m. London, June 14. In the House of Commons, in Committee of Supply on the Middle East zote, Mr. Winston Churchill made a uatement of the Government’s policy. He reminded the House that the Government, having accepted the mandate, must endeavor to do its duty honorably ind discharge the obligations which it had entered upon with its eves >pen. The Government must resolutely redeem its reputation, whether the course was popular or unpopular. He admitted the obligation was not limited, and a point might be reached when we should have to admit failure, and when we would not be justified in demanding further sacrifices from the taxpayer. Mr-. Churchill added that after most careful and unprejudiced consideration of the whole subject it would be untrue to gay we had failed, or that our resources did not enable us to discharge our obligations. Continuing, Mr. Churchill said that at the time the armistice was signed over 700,000 soldiers, followers and refugees were on the pay lists and rationing strength and this number was now reduced to 200,000. The estimated expenditure for the current year in Mesopotamia and Palestine, when all reductions were given effect to, amounted to £35,000,000, and the estimated expenditure next year would not exceed £9,000,000 or €10,000,000. The Government wa r s prepared to create a distinctly Arab Government in Mesopotamia, elected by the National Assembly, with an Arab army for national defence. The policy was to create an Arab State in Irak friendly to Britain. Feisul had been informed that if he was acceptable to the people as a ruler the British Government would support him.

There was greater danger of trouble in Palestine this year than in Mesopotamia. The only cause for unrest Si Palestine arose out of the Zionist movement and our promises regarding it. and but for that the existing British garrison mignt be considerably reduced. The Zionist immigration scheme introduced seven thousand Jews and the Arabs believed that in the next few years they would be swamped and driven out. These fears were quite illusory. It was Britain’s policy to assist France in Syria in every way; both must adopt a policy of appeasement to the Turks and the Arabs. If our policy in Mesopotamia and Palestine was to be carried out successfully we must have a lasting settlement with Turkey, and if that was obtained he was convinced the Government’s policy in the Near East would be successful.—Aus.JLZ. Cable Asm.

RULE OF PALESTINE. COMPLAINT FROM THE POPE. “OUSTING CHRISTIANITY.” Received June 15, 11.20 p.m. Rome, June 14. A passage in the Pope’s allocution during a secret consistory is attracting attention. The Pope says the situation of Christians in Palestine has been not only not improved but made worse by the new civil arrangements, which are ousting Christianity from its previous position and putting Judaism in its place. The allocution exhorts Christians, including non-Catholic Governments, to insist that the League of Nations examine the British mandate.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn