Shiels Says Britain Fully Accepts Mandate, Will Carry out Obligations and Pledges

The British government has made clear on numerous occasions that it accepts without equivocation the full Palestine Mandate with all its implications and that it believes, though knowing the difficulties involved, that it is possible to carry it out with fairness and justice to all interests concerned, Dr. Drummond Shiels, British under-secretary for the Colonies, told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. The British government intends to carry out all its pledges and obligations, Dr. Shiels said.

Palestine has been the cause of special anxiety to the British government in the last fifteen months, Dr. Shiels pointed out, and the government “has devoted considerable time and attention to its problem. Apart from constitutional questions the main difficulties have arisen in connection with immigration and land settlement. Therefore Sir John Simpson, an acknowledged authority, was sent to make a careful study of the whole problem.

“The publication of his report is anticipated with interest and hopefulness. The general lines of the government’s policy will also be published. Then we will be able to go forward with a minimum of political discussions and greater concentration on economic and social welfare,” Dr. Shiels emphasized.

Referring to his visits to various towns and villages he said he had been “impressed with the patient industry of the fellah as well as with the improved agricultural methods in the old and new Jewish colonies.” He was also impressed by the “idealism and remarkable achievements” of the Jewish colonists and the progressiveness of Tel Aviv “where industries new to Palestine have been vigorously developed.”

He said he had found a number of hopeful people on all sides and he believed that “important and capable forces in Palestine were working for peace. I hope that they will be given a chance.”