Text of Chamberlain Statement

Following is the text of Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain’s address to the Arab delegates:

“I am happy to see here not only the political leaders of the Arabs of Palestine but distinguished representatives of neighboring countries who are cooperating with us in seeking a wise settlement of the present difficulties which will safeguard the rights and position of the Arabs in Palestine. Their presence implies recognition on our part of the community of interests and sentiment characterizing the Arab world and I trust that it may also be regarded as an assurance on the part of Egypt and the Arab countries represented of their desire to maintain and strengthen the bonds of friendship which have for so long united them with the British people.

“When His Majesty’s government first announced their intention to invite the representatives of the Arabs and the Jews to separate discussions, they made it clear that the opportunity would be given both people to state their views. and proposals without any reservations. Mr. MacDonald informed the House of Commons last November that the Government would enter into discussions bound by their obligations under the Mandate — obligations to both the Arabs and Jews — and bound by their duty to Parliament and other members of the League of Nations and to the United States, but the Government would not seek to prevent either Arab or Jewish representatives from presenting arguments if they were so disposed, as to why the Mandate could be changed.

“These discussions are to be full, frank and free. In conformity with this undertaking the representatives of the United Kingdom will not commence proceedings by laying down any basis for discussion nor will they offer their own views until both the Arabs and Jews in our separate discussion with them have been given full opportunity of putting their cases. Those of you who have followed the course of international affairs during the past few years will, I hope, need no assurance that the object underlying the policy of the Government of which I am the head is promotion of peace, peace in our relations with European countries and peace in the lands for whose administration we bear special responsibility a special attachment to Palestine — and surely we all carry in our hearts a fervent hope that peace and prosperity will soon be restored.

“I have said that our talks are for peace. You will be aware that my particular method of approach to peace is a true understanding and the first essential step to understanding is personal contact. The problem before us is a difficult one. It has sometimes been called insoluble, but the more difficult the problem the more I am convinced of the importance of personal contact between the men of influence concerned. It is a task of statesmanship when faced with a situation that may appear to be a deadlock between two people to achieve a compromise on the basis of justice. This is the task before us — difficult no doubt — but surely not beyond the capacity of our united powers.

“But while not unmindful of our task let us concentrate on the realities of the present situation giving due weight to all essential facts and endeavoring to appreciate each others point of view. In this spirit lies our best hope of achieving a settlement of our present problem which will provide the foundation on which a mutual understanding may grow and peace in Palestine may at least be secure.”