British Soldier Killed in Skirmish; Wauchope Refused to Ban New Harbch

A British soldier was killed today and two others wounded in a battle with a band of Arabs near Vadi Sarrar. Several of the Arabs were taken prisoner.

While the Holy Land prepared for the arrival of the British Royal Commission, which will leave England on Nov. 5 for an inquiry into the current disorders, Adifaa, Arab daily, reported that representatives of foreign Arab rulers were assembling in Jerusalem to form a “balancing inquiry” while the Royal Commission was here.

High Commissioner Sir Arthur Grenfell Wauchope, meanwhile, was considering an Arab demand that the Government omit the Jewish immigration schedule for the six months beginning October pending the commission’s investigation.

A demand presented by the Arab Supreme Committee at the same time for halting construction on the new harbor at the all-Jewish city of Tel Aviv, which Arabs fear will compete with the neighboring port of Jaffa, was flatly rejected by the High Commissioner. He promised, however, to consider an alternative demand that restrictions be imposed on the type of freight to be handled at the new port.

Another of the Arab committee’s demands was amnesty for Arab agitators held in the Government concentration camp at Sarafend, which Sir Arthur promised to consider.

Arab leaders called a one-day strike at Beisan to protest against the wounding of two Arabs in Tel Aviv last Saturday. The strike was reported to be actually a from of retaliation against the British for vigorous searches they have been conducting in the neighborhood for Fawzi Bey el Kakaji, Syrian rebel leader, known to the authorities as “Public Enemy No.1.”

Disorders were reported at scattered points. Several shots were fired into Jewish settlement of Petach Tikvah and Beer Jacob. A band of Arabs attacked an Arab village near Ramleh.