The Arab Supreme Committee voted today to continue the general strike against Jewish immigration, now in its twentieth week, with “the same strength and vigor” pending termination of negotiations between the British Government and Nuri Pasha as-Said, Iraq Foreign Minister.
Deciding to accept the Iraqi diplomat’s intervention, the committee empowered him to initiate correspondence with the British Government on the basis of his suggestions for a peaceful settlement.
Nuri Pasha, it was learned, is leaving for Istanbul on an undisclosed mission. He will stop off at Alexandria, Egypt, on the way and is expected to return within a fortnight.
Meanwhile, Arab disorders which in twenty weeks have taken an estimated 300 lives, today claimed the seventy-ninth Jewish victim, Yosef Favner, 32.
Favner was killed by a dum-dum bullet fired from ambush last night near the German colony of Sarona, as he was driving a taxi from Petach Tikvah to Tel Aviv. Three Jewish passengers were slightly injured.
Earlier yesterday two British soldiers were killed and three slightly wounded in an engagement with Arab rebels at Mt. Tabor.
Three Jews were wounded early this morning by Arabs who fired upon them from ambush as they were escorting a number of women from a farm near Nessziona.
Arab marauders uprooted 12,000 citrus trees spreading over 75 acres between Naana and Hulda, and 5000 at Gan Hadar.
Protesting the curfew, Arab residents in Jaffa skirmished with police and British troops. Shots were exchanged, the Arabs tossing bombs and even heavy home belongings from their windows upon the soldiers below. Order was restored after several Arabs were arrested.
Tel Aviv was the target all during the night of steady sniping.
A band of 100 armed Arabs led by a mounted chief attacked Dalhemia but was repulsed by the courageous resistance of the settlers. The band is believed to have suffered many casualties. The leader’s horse was later found dead.
Widespread shooting was reported throughout the colonies on the Sharon Plain.
While the Arab Supreme Committee was discussing peace terms with Nuri Pasha, a communication was received from leaders of Arab brigands repudiating any concessions or agreements until the Arab demands of complete immigration stoppage, ban on land sales to Jews and institution of an Arab national government had been granted.
High Commissioner Sir Arthur Grenfell Wauchope was informed last night that Arab leaders would recognize the British Royal Commission, empowered last month by the Baldwin Cabinet to investigate recent Palestine disorders, only on condition that the government pledge itself to carry out the findings of the Royal Commission.
The ultimatum was handed down after influential Arabs, including members of the Arab Supreme Committee and the unofficial Arab delegation which returned from London several days ago, met at an afternoon tea given by Dr. Hussein Khalidi, mayor of Jerusalem, and discussed acceptance of proposals made by the Iraqi Foreign Minister.
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