Palestine Events Subject of Queries in British House of Commons

Questions dealing with the late outrages in Palestine again occupied considerable time at yesterday’s session in the House of Commons.

James Rothschild inquired as to the result of the investigation in the dismissal at a public parade of the duly enrolled Jewish constables, merely to give assurance to the Jews that any discrimination of this sort was disapproved by His Majesty’s Government. Lunn replied that evidence regarding the action of the Palestine government in that matter was being given before the Inquiry Commission and that before making any statement he would have to await the Commission’s report.

J. G. Booth, Conservative, asked whether the present Labor government had issued any instructions to the High Commissioner as to its policy in giving effect to the Palestine Mandate and whether it had been made clear to the officials of the Palestine government that the British government does not intend to abandon the Mandate or vary its terms. Lunn replied that general instruction had not been issued to the High Commissioner but that the British government had publicly announced that it does not intend to abandon the Mandate.

Booth continued with a question that “isn’t it a fact that great confusion of mind existed in the Palestine administration as a result of which Lunn ought to make perfectly clear what are the British government’s intentions?” Lunn said that he was not aware that confusion existed nor did he know where Booth obtains his evidence that it did exist.

At this point Kenworthy inquired whether use had been made during the Palestine troubles of the Transjordan frontier force and whether it protected the Jewish colonies since this force was designated for duty in both Palestine and Transjordan. Lunn said that the Transjordan force had rendered valuable service in maintaining control of the Jordan Valley and in the protection of numerous Jewish colonies. Asked why these forces had not been called for sooner, Lunn said that the Inquiry Commission was looking into that. The Speaker of the House of Commons here intervened to stop Kenworthy’s further question looking into the organization and discipline of the Transjordan forces. The Transjordan forces can be trusted, replied Lunn to Wedgwood.

Ormsby Gore suggested that verba- (Continued on Page 4)

Austin Hudson inquired whether the refusal of a Palestine policeman on October 10 to intervene for the protection of a Jewish shop-keeper when attacked was the result of orders from his superior or due to the officer’s own inaction and suggested that the Colonial Office look into the matter by cable. Lunn explained that he had not received a report of the incident and although he saw no reason to inquire about it by cable he would inquire about it from the High Commission by mail.

There was no reply made to Wedgwood who said that since the murders were still going on, would the Colonial Office inquire into a definite case and take action against a policeman who had not defended a man’s life. Wedgwood asked whether a report had been received about the conduct and the discharge of duties by Police Superintendent Cafferrata. Luke said that Cafferrata had shown conspicuous gallantry on August 24 for which he had been awarded the policeman’s medal.

Wedgwood wanted to know whether Lunn knew that Cafferrata had been charged by the Jews with waiting an hour and a half while a most horrible massacre was going on before he directed the police to fire, whereupon the riot immediately subsided. The question went unanswered. Lunn was unable to supply any information to Wedgwood as to the number of Jews who had been arrested for carrying arms and whether any were still imprisoned for that offense.

Upon Wedgwood’s pressing his inquiry about the number of Jews who had been arrested for carrying arms in self-defense Lunn said that he had already stated quite definitely that in his opinion it was hardly advisable to discuss that matter while the Inquiry Commission was carrying on its investigation. Wedgwood again pressed for a reply as to the number of self-defending Jews without getting a reply.

Dr. Spero, secretary of the Pro-Palestine Parliamentary Committee, asked for information about the number of Jews and Arabs that had been convicted for murder from 1920 up to August 1929. Lunn not only was unable to give this information but declined to ask the Palestine government for it because he said it would entail considerable labor.

Howard Bury inquired as to whether the Palestine government is dealing with complaints that Arabs are receiving heavier sentences than Jews for similar offenses. Lunn replied that he would consider the subject and inquire about it upon receipt of specific cases.