The cost of living in Palestine has risen to an unhealthy level and newly-formed industrial enterprises are in danger of closing down owing to the impossibility of working at a profit, the Daily Telegraph reports today from Palestine.
The paper states there is a tremendous labor shortage and important public works are held up because of this. The correspondent emphasizes, however, that what the Palestine government wishes to employ for its public works is not Jewish labor, but cheap, unskilled Arab labor. There is nevertheless, a shortage of even this kind of labor.
‘GANG’ SMUGGLES IMMIGRANTS
The correspondent dwells at length on the illegal immigration into Palestine and states that the authorities are hopeful that now, with the unmasking of a certain “gang” in Warsaw and with the publicity given to the Velos victims, that traffic will cease.
Early attempts to enter Palestine illegally were amateurish, the correspondent relates, but last August it became evident that this desire to enter had not been overlooked in Europe, and that a gang of “crooks” in Warsaw, closely assisted by a confederate in Beirut, gave their attention to it.
Workings on the feelings of those unfortunates who, living in Eastern Europe, turn their eyes longingly toward Palestine, this gang mercilessly fleeced those who came to them hoping for aid, the correspondent reports. The dupes were told that their entry to Palestine could be arranged for a price, and in their ignorance they were often unaware that they were taking part in an illegal enterprise. The gang then proceeded to charter certain ships for their purpose.
The last of such attempts was made last October, when a steamer succeeded in putting some people ashore in three boatloads. They were arrested and are now serving a prison sentence prior to being deported.
The correspondent then brings out the point that not only Jews but also Arabs are practicing illegal entry into Palestine. Arabs from neighboring countries are entering illegally in considerable numbers, hoping to enjoy the Jewish prosperity.
All that such persons do is walk across the border, since there are no passport regulations existing between Transjordan and Palestine, the correspondent informs.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
