Preparations to put Palestine on a full war footing went forward rapidly today as heavy movements of British troops to Egypt got under way. To replace the troops, the Government prepared for mobilization of all categories of Jewish supernumeraries, whose number is estimated at 20,000.
The entire British army in Palestine, with the exception of two battalions, is under six hours’ notice to leave for Egypt. The troops are destined for service on the Libyan frontier, where the military authorities have been informed 250,000 Italian troops are massed.
Hundreds of Jewish buses have been mobilized here and in Tel Aviv to provide transport for the troops.
The outcome of negotiations between Jewish leaders and the Government to fill defense vacuums with Jews has not yet been revealed. Meanwhile, however, all leaves of Jewish supernumeraries have been cancelled and Jewish volunteers have been told to stand by for emergency calls.
The Royal Air Force has begun mass flights in the direction of Egypt.
Many German Christians are leaving for Germany. The French Consul is preparing instructions for French citizens in the Holy Land.
Ship lines and airways have announced that communications on the Mediterranean have not been interrupted “for the time being.”
Haifa will experience its first blackout on Monday.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
