Ugly Situation Brewing in Palestine, British Paper Says

Criticism against the “drifting policy” of the British Government with regard to the Palestine problem is voiced today in an editorial in the New Statesman and Nation, influential liberal weekly.

“An ugly situation is brewing in Palestine,” the article says. “The British attitude is one of drifting, and those who should decide the policy with regard to Palestine are too over-tired and over-preoccupied to come to grips with the baffling problem.” The article urges the establishment of Palestine as a Jewish Home “although on much more restricted lines than the Jews desire.” The editorial says that it is certain that both the Jews and the Arabs will accept such a decision even under protest.

The Council of the Anglo-Jewish Association today criticized the statement on Jewish terrorists in Palestine made by Colonial Secretary Stanley in the House of Commons. Leonard Stein, head of the Association, pointed out that while describing the terrorist activities as an impediment to the war effort, Secretary Stanley failed to add that Palestine Jewry as a whole has supported the war effort loyally and effectively not only in factories and workshops, but also in the Army and Navy and in theatres of war from Abyssinia to Italy.

Particularly unfortunate, Mr. Stanley said, was the language used by the Colonial Secretary. Col. Stanley’s statement, he added, might be taken to imply that the activities of a small group of terrorists sully the good name of all the Jews in Palestine, if not the Jews world over. “In behalf of the Council of the Anglo-Jewish Association I protest against that suggestion,” Mr. Stein said. At the same time, he expressed abhorrence of the crimes committed by the terrorists.