Death Penalty for Arms Bearing Decreed in Palestine; Authorize Arrests Without Warrants

Acting High Commissioner John V. M. Shaw today issued a proclamation providing the death penalty for persons bearing arms or any “war(##) stores.”

At the same time, he announced that life sentences would be imposed on persons in whose quarters arms of any kind were found. Shaw warned all citizens to obey the law, adding that any attempt to provoke disorder or violence would be rigorously punished.

His proclamation followed on the heels of a decree amending the emergency de(##) regulations so as to prohibit the wearing by unauthorized persons of British military or police uniforms, or the uniforms of foreign countries. The High Commissioner was also authorized to ban the wearing or display “of distinctive dress or articles of clothing.” Infractions are punishable by three years imprisonment, a 2,000 fine, or both.

The amendment also empowered any member of the British armed forces, any police officer or the head of a settlement to arrest without a warrant persons “reasontly suspected” of being a “prohibited immigrant.” Searches for such illegal entrants may be made without a warrant. the decree also prohibits persons from leaving the country without a written permit.

Meanwhile, competent observers here said today that the outbreaks in Tel Aviv and elsewhere were of a spontaneous nature, and were not the start of organized resistance They pointed out that there has not been any wide-spread planned sabotage, and (##) serious, organized Jewish resistance still lies shead.

This would seem to be borne out by events here last night, when organized members of the Haganah, the Jewish resistance movement, dispersed a crowd of over 200 Jewish youths who were attempting to organize a demonstration. The Haganah members provited any clash with police who were hidden around all corners.