OPINION IN BRITAIN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 May 1939, Page 5

OPINION IN BRITAIN

NEWSPAPER CRITICISM “HEADLONG REPUDIATION OF PLEDGES.” SCHEME SAID TO BE FOUNDED ON INJUSTICE. LONDON, May 18. “The Times,” in a leader today, says that the fundamental doubt about the new policy is the assumption that the Jews and Arabs can be induced to co-operate in a unitary state, granting that autonomy of both races only means giving a sense of security. "The Times” adds that autonomy for Jews within a limited area should include immigration rights therein. This would give security to the Arabs and satisfaction to the Jews. Such an evolution is not excluded from the new policy and the development of the Government's proposals should be shaped to this end. The “Manchester Guardian” says that there is no adequate reason why the Government should have plunged into “this headlong repudiation of pledges and truckled so far to the Arabs as to endanger, if not to destroy, their great constructive work.” The paper adds that, if the scheme is meant to bring peace to Palestine, it will not succeed, because it is founded on injustice, and injustice does not bring peace.

PROTESTS IN U.S.A. “SURRENDER TO ORGANISED VIOLENCE.” WASHINGTON, May 18. While it is indicated that the United States Government will carefully study the British White Paper before deciding whether to take any action to safeguard its rights in Palestine under the mandate, a variety of protests have been made unofficially by various groups concerning the British plan. A group of leading Jews in Washington today called on Sir Ronald Lindsay, the British Ambassador, and presented a protest for delivery to the British Foreign Office condemning the plan as a “surrender to the organised campaign of Arab violence.” The Zionist organisation of America says: “Britain shamelessly reverses her policy.” The Palestine Federation of America, an organisation of Christians supporting Zionism. telegraphed to President Roosevelt asking him to intervene against the application of the plan.