The resignation of Lewis French, Palestine Land Commissioner is confirmed to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency in official quarters here.
From these quarters it is learned that although in the past it was known that disagreements existed between the High Commissioner and Mr. French, this was before the Land Commissioner completed his survey. When the High Commissioner demanded certain changes in the report, it is pointed out that Mr. French introduced them.
The official reason given to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency for Mr. French’s resignation is that his appointment as Land Commissioner was made, first, to settle the displaced Arabs, and second to allot the £2,500,000 Development Scheme Loan. Since Mr. French himself found the number of displaced Arabs to be very small and there is no money available at present for the loan, Mr. French cannot carry out the duties for which he was appointed. Hence his resignation.
It is also learned that the Jewish Agency was ready last month to submit its observations on the French report but that the High Commissioner extended the period for the recommendations to be submitted until he returns to Palestine.
This is interpreted as meaning that the government itself attaches no immediate importances to Mr. French’s report.
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