The “New York Journal” took exception to the accusation that the outbreaks were provoked by Zionist Fascisti, declaring in an editorial on Wednesday, Aug. 28:
“In connection with Jerusalem riots, the ‘New York World’ prints a dispatch signed by Vincent Sheehan, representing many newspapers in the ‘North American Newspaper Alliance.’ Mr. Sheehan accuses ‘Young Zionist Fascisti’ in Jerusalem, led by the Zionist Fascist Vladimir Jabotinsky, of starting the riots.
“It is a preposterous suggestion that any group of intelligent Jewish ‘Zionist Fascisti’ so called, or any other body of Jewish citizens in Jerusalem would deliberately precipitate a conflict with fanatics, notoriously murderous, by whom they are hopelessly outnumbered.
“As is usual in wars, riots and murders, based on religious hatred, the worst outrages have been committed by the most ignorant Arab peasants coming in from the countryside, armed with clubs and daggers.
“Most of the Jews killed were stabbed to death, in hand-to-hand struggle.
“Those Arab fanatics, killing ‘non-believers’ today as they did by the orders of Mohammed, their leader, more than 1,400 years ago, all over Europe, believe that they are carrying out the wishes of Allah, the one god, and Mohammed, his prophet.
“Fortunately daggers and clubs can be quickly disposed of by modern scientific weapons. And there is no doubt now that the British since the outbreak have shown an intention to live up to their mandate.
“The question is, what will happen in the future ? How long will the Jews in Jerusalem and throughout the agricultural and industrial regions in Palestine be safe?
“You cannot, unfortunately, count upon common sense in the Arabs.
“If they possessed that quality, they would do everything possible to make the Jews welcome in that region.
“The more intelligent of the Arabs have done so, and for good reasons.
“Values of real estate in Jerusalem and throughout Palestine have increased enormously since the incoming of the Zionists.
“And the Arabs are especially the beneficiaries of the new business methods and greater efficiency brought by incoming Jews.
“The Arab that was paid fifteen cents a day is now paid seventy-five cents a day.
“Land since 1917 has increased in value one hundred per cent.
“Permitted to develop commerce, industry and agricultural possibilities in Palestine, the Jews would make that nation prosperous as it was in the ancient days.
“It is all a question of protection in the beginning.
“That protection the British, under the Balfour agreement, have solemnly pledged themselves to give.
“Disquieting news comes from England, with the powerful Lord Rothermere newspapers demanding that peace be restored now, but also demanding that the Palestine mandate be repudiated by Britain and that the British Empire wash its hands of Palestine and all responsibility there.
“This would mean wholesale massacres, conditions indescribably dreadful.”
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
