ARABS & JEWS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 August 1943, Page 3

ARABS & JEWS

BOTH BUILDING UP ARMIES ' IN PALESTINE r WEAPONS SUPPLIED BY GUNRUNNERS SOME STOLEN FROM BRITISH. THREAT OF CIVIL WAR. ■ (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day, 10.15 a.m.) LONDON, August 30. Arabs and Jews in Palestine are reported to be building up in secret private armies, well provided with modern weapons. The armies, which are well organised for guerilla fighting, are reported to have field artillery and anti-air-craft guns hidden in the hills. It is believed that both sides have been supplied impartially by a gun-running organisation operating from the countries bordering on Palestine, Many of the most modern weapons have been stolen from the British armies in the Middle East. An intensely critical situation is developing as the time draws near for a cessation of Jewish immigration into Palestine. Under’ the terms of the British Government White Paper of 1939, Jewish immigration to Palestine was limited to 75,000 during the following five years, and was to cease completely on April 1, 1944. The plan provided for the ultimate establishment of an Arab-Jewish State. The Jews and Arabs claim that they have the right to independence in their own country. Both Arabs and Jews are at present restive and both are determined that their destinies will not be settled without consultation with them. They are gradually building up machinery which threatens to break out into civil war.