Field-marshal Lord Plumer Ex-high Commissioner for Palestine Seriously Ill

Fiel-Marshal Lord Plumer, who succeeded Sir Herbert Samuel as the second High Commissioner for Palestine, and was succeeded by Sir John Chancellor, is lying’ seriously ill at his home in London.

In view of his age (he will be 75 next month), there is a good deal of anxiety on account of his condition.

A few days after his appointment in 1925 to the Palestine High Commissionership, Lord Plumer fell ill, and was unable for some time to proceed to Palestine to take up his appointment. On account of his age, it was suggested that he would hold office only for one year. Actually he served for little more than two years and there were several rumours of his impending retirement before it was officially announced. They were two extremely critical years in the development of Palestine, which, during his administration, passed through the severe economic depression of 1926 and the terrible Palestine earthquake.

There was disappointment when Lord Plumer was named to succeed Sir Herbert Samuel, an official Zionist organ wrote at the time of his retirement. Every possible dire consequence was predicted. How absurd this prophecy proved it is superfluous to tell, in the light of Lord Plumer’s remarkable record of administration in Palestine. He was not only an able executive but proved himself most sympathetic to Jewish aims in Palestine. Every Jewish problem that arose in Palestine met with his keen understanding. He gave advice and material aid to Jewish Palestine during the two critical years through which the country passed, in a manner that evoked the praise and sincere gratitude of the entire Yishub. Lord Plumer leaves behind him a grateful Jewish people, fully appreciative of everything he has done to bring us nearer our goal.