BASELESS ALLEGATIONS

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20740, 25 February 1939, Page 7

BASELESS ALLEGATIONS

HOLY PLACES KEPT SACRED MISREPRESENTATION BY ARABS ONE POST RETAINED (Official Wireless) (Received Feb. 25, 1 p.m.) RUGBY, Feb. 24 There 5s still frequent misrepresentation abroad of the action taken by the British military authorities in Palestine for the restoration of order as It affects the security of holy places. Misleading statements have been made, and despite correction ire repeated. Regarding the position at Haram Esh Sharif, It always has been the policy of the mandatory Power to preserve in full reverence and decorum the holy places sacred to Moslems. Christians and Jews, but Haram Esh Sharif differs from certain other structures, in that it constitutes an extensive area, honeycombed with hiding-places, of which malefactors sometimes take advantage. When Palestine was under Turkish rule a permanent police post was maintained in Haram Esh Sharif for enforcing order, and from the earilv days of the British mandate the practice has been continued by posting Palestinian Moslem police for the maintenance of decorum and the suppression of crime. In the course of the disturbances during the past three years the police post was temporarily withdrawn from Haram Esh Sharif, as a concession to Moslem sentiment, hut. in March, 1938, it became clear Hi it several organisers of the terrorist campaign were using the place as their headquarters. Assassinations Known Documents captured from terrorists show that assassinations known to individuals took place at Haram Esh Sharif, and attempts at, murder have been made in the mosque of Aqsa itself. Further, on one occasion at least shots w< re fired in the Haram Esh Sharif area which caused the death of a British soldier. Accordingly j! was decided to reintroduce the police pest and reinforce the police patrols. The post was maintained by three reliefs, consisting of four Arab constables. under the con-

trol of a British non-commissioned officer, who for his own protection has with him a British constable. To avoid interference with religions practice the British personnel is entirely withdrawn from the area between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., at the time of important prayers. The establishment of this post has caused considerable concern to the

terrorists, as it deprives them of one of the safest centres of activity. They accordingly made great efforts to force a withdrawal of the post by baseless allegations that Haram Esk Sharif la being desecrated. A USEFUL PURPOBE VALUE OF PERSONAL CONTACTS GENERAL* TALKS NEXT WEEK (Official Wireless) (Received Feb. 25. noon) RUGBY. Feb. 24 The view taken in official quarter* is that the informal meetings at which the Arab and Jewish delegates met for general talks with the British Government representatives served a very useful purpose in establishing personal contacts and acquainting each side more clearly with the views of the other. The difficulties tha* face the conference remain, but after further sectional meetings it is intended to resume informal general talks next week. On that occasion the British Government will, it i- anticipated, put forward more positive suggestions, covering constitutional immigration. Thev will be put forward, however. In a general rather than a precise and detailed form, and will, it is hoped, form tlie basis for future discussions. HOPE OF SETTLEMENT PROPOSALS BY BRITAIN POLICY OUTLINED ON MONDAY (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. CoryrtirhW (Received Feb. 25. i.lO p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 24. The British Government has decided to formulate its own proposals in the hope of -solving the Palestine problem, and will broadly outline its policy on February 27 to Arabs and Jews.