England Needs Zionists, Lloyd George Organ Says

Arab control of Palestine would mean that it would soon become a part of French Syria or fall in the hands of the Turks. This is the contention of the Lloyd George organ, the “Daily Chronicle” in an editorial today.

England cannot afford to have either the French or the Turks such near neighbors to the Suez canal, the paper asserts. The Chronicle adds that even if there were no Jews involved in the matter, the government could not give the Arabs the demands they are asking, as they are not fit to be trusted with self-government.

The case against the Jews in Palestine has been completely disproved, the paper says. “The Jews are bringing brains and money to Palestine. The civil and religious liberties of all, regardless of creed, are amply safeguarded. Sir Herbert Samuel in his conciliatory policy, it declares, has missed no opportunity to give all possible concessions to Arab sentiment.” “Perhaps, says the editorial, “it would have been better if Samuel had been firmer from the beginning.”

“The concessions may have conveyed a false idea of weakness. Britain,” it declares, “in its treaty with King Hussein of Hedjaz has recognized the independence of Mesopotamia, Transjordania, Arabia and has offered its assistance in creating an Arab confederation.

“Generosity could go no further, yet in the midst of negotiations, Hussein announced that Palestine was included in the treaty. It was false, but it wrought much mischief.”

“In view of England’s generosity to Hussein, it is reasonable to ask him”, concludes the Chronicle. “to use his influence with the Arabs in Palestine against following a course there heading fast to rebellion.

The government should take an early opportunity of testing the Palestine Policy in Parliament. The Arabs have been encouraged to believe that public sentiment is not behind the British government in its Palestine policy. The government must disabuse the Arabs of that idea.”