Italy and Germany were mentioned in the House of Commons today as being possible instigators of the Palestine disorders.
The question of responsibility for the situation in Palestine was raised by Emanuel Shinwell, Laborite, who asked Colonial Secretary J. H. Thomas whether the Arab general strike against Jewish immigration and sale of land to Jews was provoked by Italian or German emissaries.
Mr. Thomas replied that it would be difficult to state who is responsible, declaring he believed it unwise to place responsibility unless there was absolute proof. He added that whoever or whatever was responsible, the Government is determined to maintain law and order.
Mr. Shinwell suggested it was important to ascertain who was responsible for the situation, a suggestion to which Mr. Thomas agreed, adding it would be better to do this than to rely on “gossip and malicious statements.” To a question by G.D.S. Hardie, Laborite, as to what stops were being taken in view of the dangerous development of Arab hostility, Mr. Thomas replied there was a possibility of further disorders and the British garrison has been reinforced. He said that High Comm- issioner Sir Arthur Grenfell Wauchope could be relied on to take all possible measures for the protection of lives and property.
To a question by Major H. A. Procter, Conservative, Mr. Thomas said the total number of arrests in Palestine in connection with the disorders was more than 600, the majority of them being Arabs.
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