J. D. B. News Letter

Jew and Arab can live peacefully together side by side.

The ex-Khedive agreed that Jewish achievements in Palestine are wonderful, but he attributed them mainly to Jewish wealth. He admitted that the Jewish settlers have benefited the Arab population of Palestine, whose standard of living is now much higher than that of the Transjordan Arabs. But he considered this an indirect result of the Jewish work and not due to any active desire on the part of the Jews.

The ex-Khedive again expressed confidence in the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, and the members of the Palestine Arab Executive. He spoke very highly of the Mufti as an honorable man whom the Jews, perhaps not deliberately, misunderstand. He did not believe, he said, that the Mufti and other Arab politicians incite the Arab people against the Jews. He was firmly convinced that the Mufti is a true leader, and expresses the sentiments of his people. For the time being, the ex-Khedive said, the British Mandate in Palestine is an absolute necessity. It is essential that it should be maintained at least until enough water has been added to both the Arab and Jewish wines to enable them to mix. The Mandate system is a good one, he said, and the best possible solution in the circumstances. It must remain in force for a long time, perhaps longer than the life-time of most people today.

On the question of the Pan-Arabic movement, the ex-Khedive said that it depends on what shape the movement will assume, and who will head it. He said that he is in very friendly relations with King Feisal, though his relations with the Emil Abdullah are more intimate. He had received a letter from King Feisal not long ago, he said, no less friendly than his letters written to him fifteen years ago, when there was no doubt as to the nature of their relations. Without disclosing the contents of the letter, he said, however, that he had refused to participate actively in any Pan-Arabic or kindred movement, preferring to remain outside as a looker-on. At the same time, the Pan-Arabic movement, he said, is more to his taste than the Pan-Islamic movement, which, in his opinion, is doomed to failure.

With regard to the Islamic Bureau which the ex-Khedive intends establishing in Geneva, he said that this Bureau will be a purely religious centre for Moslem delegates.