ACTION IN PALESTINE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 October 1938, Page 5

ACTION IN PALESTINE

DELIVERY OF ULTIMATUM TO ARABS BRITAIN ASSEMBLING STRONG FORCES REPORTED SETTLEMENT PROPOSALS By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, October 17. Reinforced British troops have taken up offensive stations to quell the Palestine revolt, but are first delivering an ultimatum, which the Arabs, who have now increased their army by 7000, will certainly accept with a challenge, says the Alexandria correspondent of the “Daily Mail.” The Jerusalem correspondent of the “News Chronicle” says that General Haining, who will lead the attack, has at his disposal 25,000 troops, including 6000 Jewish volunteers. The first objectives will be the reconquest of Ramallah, Beersheba, Jericho and Gaza. Meanwhile the "Daily Herald” says that the Government intends to abandon the Palestine partition in favour of curtailing the Jewish area. It is understood that the decision is based on the Woodhead Commission’s report, which finds that partition is impracticable and inequitable. The Inner Cabinet will urge the cessation of Jewish migration tor two years or recommend that it be reduced to a minimum, while prohibiting land sales to the Jews. This means the scrapping of the Balfour Declaration, and a whittling down of the League’s mandate to Britain in order to effectuate that policy. The Government will announce the new policy as temporary until the present terrorism is stamped out. , It is estimated unofficially that 358 people, including 270 rebels, have died as 'a result of the disturbances in Palestine since October 1. The British casualties are eight killed and 23 wounded. The diplomatic correspondent of “The Times” says that the American Ambassador, Mr J. P. Kennedy, called on the Foreign Secretary and the Secretary for the Colonies and discussed the Palestine situation. It is believed that he acquainted them with a declaration by the State Department at Washington. It is pointed out that the AngloAmerican Convention of 1924 includes a clause which emphasises that American rights in Palestine cannot be modified without the assent of the United States. American Jews in Palestine are said to exceed 8000, and American capital invested there exceeds £10,000,000. AMERICAN INTERESTS MR CORDELL HULL RECEIVES ASSURANCE WASHINGTON, October 16. The Secretary of State, Mr Cordell Hull, revealed today that the British Foreign Office had assured the United States that no change in the Palestine status was contemplated before the completion of the Partition Commission’s report, which could not be expected before the end of October. “I have reason to believe,” said Mr Hull, “that the British Government is fully aware of American public opinion on the matter. ARAB THREAT ANXIETY IN JERUSALEM ANCIENT CITY UNDER GUARD LONDON, October 17. The old walled bity of Jerusalem is like a beleaguered garrison in view of the threat of a sudden and extremely intense Arab attack. All entrances have been closed, except the strongly guarded Jaffa Gate. Apart from heavily-armed police patrols, the streets are deserted and the usually busy market square is without a sound, only small groups of furtive, .whispering Arabs are visible. A 24-hour curfew has been imposed since the fresh series of outrages, making a total of 12 towns throughout Palestine now under night restrictions. The Jerusalem correspondent of “The Times” says that the situation requires the most careful handling because of the sacred character of the place. Several of the recent fatal bomb outrages might arouse religious fanaticism. A heavy sense of anxiety hangs over the city and there are rumours that the Arabs plan to seize the old city because it contains the HarameshSherif, their most sacred spot, from which it would be difficult to dislodge them once it was barricaded. SNIPER’S ACTIVE POLICE OFFICER’S NARROW ESCAPE (Received This Day, 9.20 a.m.) JERUSALEM, October 17. Snipers are harassing the police throughout the city. Assistant-Super-intendent A. Silver, narrowly escaped. The Jewish quarters are sandbagged, and Arab shops are closed.