Jerusalem Faced Grave Crisis Tuesday Noon As Arabs Renewed Attacks

The situation has become very grave in Jerusalem as the Arab Moslems massed for a new attack on the Jewish quarters.

The government this afternoon ordered the evacuation by the Jewish population of the quarter Meyer Shfeya. The settlement of Athlit was also menaced.

The Jewish settlements Geva and Tel Joseph, in the Valley of Jezreel, were destroyed by fire. The settlements Mesha, Abu-Shusha and Betalua were attacked by the Moslems, who were, however, repelled. An attack was also perpetrated today on the Ruttenberg Jordon electric works. Intensive warfare is going on in the settlements in Samaria. The city of Safed and the colony Ness Zionah are menaced. In Tiberias quiet prevails.

Disquieting reports were received here this afternoon from the Haifa Bay works. The city of Acre, the colony Nahalal and the colony of the Polish Jews, Nachlath Jacob, are under attack. No confirmation was received here yet of the report that the Jewish colonies Gastinia and Gdera were destroyed.

Five Arabs were wounded today by the British police near Motza in repelling a new attack.

The Jewish self-defense body of Jerusalem was greatly weakened by the number of its members who received serious wounds. An urgent appeal for new recruits was issued this morning to the Yemenite Jews resident in Kfar Hasheloah, a Jerusalem suburb.

Hope of a possible cessation of warfare was seen today when the Moslem Arab leaders of Jerusalem issued an appeal to the Moslems, declaring that they had asked the government of Palestine to cease the distribution of firearms to Jews, and they therefore call on the Moslems to return to work and to discontinue the assaults.

The appeal was signed by the Grand Mufti, the Moslems’ religious head; Nashashibi, the Arab mayor of Jerusalem; Musa Kazim Pasha, head of the anti-Zionist Palestine Arab Executive; Aaref Pasha Aldayani, and other Moslem leaders.

The shops owned by Christians in the Old City of Jerusalem were reopened this morning. A deputation of Jerusalem merchants called on the Acting High Commissioner today, requesting the government to provide protection for the reopening of the shops. The government promised to take the necessary measures.

On the other hand, reports reached the city that a large number of Bedouins from Transjordania are attempting to cross the Jordan river.