Apprehension over the future of the Jews in Palestine, as a result of Arab-Jewish tension, was expressed here today by Viscount Samuel, first British High Commissioner for Palestine, who recently returned from a short visit there.
Writing in the Star, a London evening paper, Viscount Samuel states that he found war-time conditions in Palestine very satisfactory as far as industrial prosperity is concerned. The political aspects of the Palestine situation, however, are less favorable, he asserts.
“The country is quiet,” he writes. “The grave disturbances which caused such serious casualties and which ceased three years ago have not recurred. But there is more apprehension as to the future than I found when I last visited Palestine in 1940. Underlying tension between the Arab and Jewish population is merely quiescent and there is no optimism regarding the situation when the war ends.”
Pointing out that there are today enormous fortified police barracks scattered throughout Palestine, Viscount Samuel says that this fact gives some assurance that the Palestine authorities will not be caught unprepared again, whatever may occur.
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