Move Strong Military Forces to Jerusalem on Eve of Rosh Hashanah

Eight hours before the Jews of Jerusalem were to hold their religious services at the Western Wall of the Temple, commonly known as the Wailing Wall, ushering in the Jewish New Year, 5690, the British authorities took extraordinary measures of precaution to prevent the recurrence of any disturbances at the sacred area. It was the disorders which occurred on August 15 in the precincts of the Wailing Wall which gave rise to the Arab attacks and bloodshed.

At ten o’clock Friday morning a most formidable military force moved into the bazaar to reinforce the police squads on guard there. Infantry, machine gun units, bombing squads and aeroplanes were sent to the scene, where the Moslems were about to gather for their Sabbath prayers in the Mosque of Omar and the Jews, later in the afternoon, for their Rosh Hashanah prayers-in-front of the Wailing Wall.

Moving from three sides, the military forces took up their position at the Citadel of David. Steel-helmeted Tommies lined the streets and the semidark alleyways leading to the Wailing Wall. New armored cars recently brought from Egypt occupied strategic (Continued on Page 4)

Regulations for the holding of Jewish services at the Wailing Wall were issued by the military authorities Friday morning. The regulations stipulated that all appurtenances brought by the worshippers to the Wall must be in accordance with dimensions fixed by the government and that no outside objects are to be introduced.

The recently opened door to the right of the Wall, leading to the Mosque of Omar area, is to remain closed during the Jewish holidays so that no Arab muledrivers will be able to drive their animals across the pavement before the Wall as was often the practice in the past. All traffic past the Wall is to be suspended.

The marching in of the troops, bringing with them field kitchens and munition caissons, brought out the crowds which lined the sidewalks along Jaffa Road leading to the Old City. Overhead roared the planes as apparently the authorities intended to make an impressive demonstration of power.

JEWISH DEFENDER SENTENCED TO 4 YEARS HARD LABOR

A youthful Jew named Elazar, an employee of a British concern in Jaffa was sentenced by the Jaffa District Court today to four years at hard labor for wounding an Arab during the turbulent days. Sentence was pronounced by Judge Kermack.

Elazar’s counsel, Mr. Horowitz of the Zionist Executive, pointed out that the mood of the Arab mob in Jaffa on that day justified the gravest apprehension on the part of every Jew.