Successful Development of Land Dependent on Jewish Enterprise; Jews’ Achievements Praised

for the next few years at least, depends upon the successful development of agriculture and an improvement in methods of framing. I see no way by which this can be brought about other than through Jewish enterprise, and I am therefore convinced of the need for giving the Jewish colonies a fair share in all available land.

ARABS’ DESIRE FOR SELF-GOVERNMENT DID NOT LEAD TO OUTBREAK

“The Arab leaders’ desire for self-government is keen and entirely honorable, but I don’t think that their failure to obtain such measure of self-government as would satisfy them contributed in any degree to the outbreak. The crowds of demonstrators whom we met undoubtedly resented the policy of the Jewish National Home and the fellaheen were anxious and troubled about the future ownership and occupation of their land, but I am unable to believe that they were conscious of any serious grievance on constitutional questions.

“My view of the progress of Palestine, by which I mean the joint progress of the two peoples, is to be not along lines of political concession, but rather through social and economic reconstruction and the establishment of public security. It is stated in the report that neither Jews nor Arabs ‘made any sustained attempt to improve racial relationship.’ This statement, while doubtless substantially correct must be judged in the light of the difficulties of the position.

“The two peoples were thrown together under quite unusual circumstances without any unifying influence of language, religion or race. The impact, upon an undeveloped people, fatalistic in their outlook and devoted to their ancient ways, of a highly gifted and progressive race, burning with a great ideal, would in any case impose a great strain upon both. The Jews, especially, found the whole of their energies absorbed in the urgent task of building the body of a new nation, rather than its soul. Their people, moreover, came from many lands and their diverse experience and pre-conceptions had to be molded into a common outlook. They had to resurrect and popularize a beloved and ancient language to lay and social, economic and administrative foundations of a great enterprise.

SUFFICIENT BASIS FOR RACIAL COOPERATION

“In these circumstances it would have been strange if they had entirely avoided mistakes. It is my view, that notwithstanding their failures, the achievements of the Jews in Palestine in the last decade are as significant of anything that has happened in our time. In spite, therefore, of racial differences and last year’s tragic events. I believe that there exists even now a sufficient basis of good will on both sides upon which racial cooperation may be built.

“Some criticism has been made of the new Jewish immigrants as compared with the frightened, unobtrusive pre-war Jews, but such criticism can easily do the former an injustice. The majority of the post-war immigrants come from countries where they or their ancestors have been subjected to pogroms and racial humiliation. When they arrived in Palestine, as of right and not on sufferance, they probably appeared to Arab eyes less docile than the non-political Jew whom the country previously knew.

“Many had enthusiasm without experience and there were doubtless some who came with the Balfour Declaration in one hand and the Book of Joshua in the other, only to find that the easy victories of Joshua were not to be repeated. They, young immigrants, may have been provocative in their demeanor, but not intentionally so. The Jews came from many lands. They had little or no training in citizenship. They had to adapt themselves to each other and to a new social environment, to learn a common language and to collaborate with the Arabs in the creation of a new state. In these circumstances it is hardly surprising that their relations with their Arab neighbors were not what the situation demanded.

PROPAGANDA INSPIRED ARAB ANIMOSITY

“I agree that the animosity and hostility of the Arabs towards the Jews were the fundamental cause of the outbreak of last August, but I believe that this feeling was rather the result of a campaign of propaganda and incitement, than the natural results of economic factors. I agree, however, with the findings as to the immediate causes of the disturbances. The difference between my colleagues and myself lies in the degree of importance to be attached to the various causes.

“I consider that the activities of the Moslem religious societies and the campaign of propaganda among the less educated of the Arab people were the most important of the immediate causes of the disturbances. I do not share the view that of the incidents connected with the Wailing Wall the Jewish demonstration of August 15th is the one which most contributed to the outbreak.

“All those incidents are important only insofar as they were made an opportunity for propaganda and incitement.

“Though I am prepared to admit that there may be room for improvement in the present method of control over immigration I am unable to subscribe to the Commission’s recommendations. Neither do I agree with the view that the constitutional grievances of the Arabs are the seriously aggravating difficulties of the Palestine Administration. I desire, however, to associate myself with the remainder of the recommendations contained in the report and I wish to make the following supplementary recommendations:

“On immigration the Palestine government should either themselves make