Arab Executive’s Delay in Taking Stand on White Paper Arouses Anxious Speculation

A good deal of curiosity and anxious speculation is being manifested in all quarters here now because of the unprecedented delay, or as some say, failure of the Arab Executive to make any public statement regarding its position on the Passfield White Paper. Evidently awaiting the day to day developments the Arab Executive has never manifested such hesitation in making its stand known.

One meeting after another of the Executive has been postponed. The official statement promised a few days after the full text of the White Paper became available has been withheld. Questioned by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency as to the reason for the unusual procrastination, the secretaries said that a full meeting of the Executive to act on the matter would be called but the meeting has not yet been held.

The Arab press is impatiently demanding action but the Executive explained to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that the reaction of the Arab papers is no criterion of the present situation, each paper having its own views and motives. Even the question of acceptance or rejection of the proposed legislative council remains undecided, the Executive relying on Jamal Husseini, now in London, to do his utmost in connection with the parlia-

mentary debate on Monday. No instructions, however, have been sent to him.

Even the most informed observers here find it difficult to say whether the reticence of the Arab leaders is merely watchful waiting for further action by the British government and the results of the debate, or whether it has a sinister implication.