Commission of Inquiry Holds Meeting Prior to Sailing for Palestine

The British Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry, appointed by the Colonial Office to investigate the causes of the recent outbreak in Palestine, held a meeting here on Monday prior to its departure for Palestine on October 3.

The diplomatic correspondent of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency understands that the meeting was confined to a consideration of the question of procedure and that questions of policy were not dealt with. It appears that the question of procedure is considered sufficiently intricate and it is stated that the Commission decided that the British officials in Palestine first collect the evidence which will be placed before the Commission on its arrival. When the Commission will start functioning in Palestine, evidence will again be taken from both Jewish and Arab sources. The preliminary collecting of evidence was found necessary in order to secure first hand information as near the date of occurrence as possible. The meetings of the Commission will not be public, but communiques will be issued from time to time, it being anticipated that the Commission will make declarations while still in Palestine.

While the terms of reference of the Commission are necessarily confined

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to an inquiry into the immediate causes of the recent outbreak, it is stated that at a later stage of its work, the Commission will also inquire into the wider aspects of the problem, occupying itself with the broader reasons for the recent outbreak.

In London official circles, it is reiterated that in any case the British government will enforce and uphold the terms of the Balfour Declaration, there being no question of any retreat from that position.

The recent press rumors concerning England’s intention to give up the Palestine Mandate or permit its reversion to Italy, the United States or Poland are regarded as gossip which is unfounded and absurd.