Zionist Executive in Jerusalem Protests Order to Disarm Jewish Self-defense Corps As Fights Continue

An order to disarm the Jewish self-defense body in Palestine centers was issued by the British officials and is being carried out over the protests of Jewish leaders here. The special Jewish constables enrolled when the riots were well advanced were now ordered to disband and disarm.

The carrying out of this instruction by the British troops is leading to many deplorable incidents. A young Jew was shot dead early Wednesday morning in front of the headquarters of the Jewish communal board of Jerusalem when the British police ordered him to give up his arms. Because the instruction was given in English, which he did not understand, he did not comply immediately and was shot.

The guard of the Hebrew University on Mount Scopus which was in possession of arms under a permit rendered before the disturbances was ordered to give up their arms.

Notwithstanding the presence of the British soldiers in Jerusalem, much fighting went on during Tuesday night in the Old City. The fighting assumed a more dangerous character in other parts of the city. The synagogue in the Georgian Jewish quarter near the Damascus Gate was destroyed by fire.

Representatives of the Zionist Executive in Jerusalem presented a vigorous protest to the Acting High Commissioner, H. C. Luke, against alleged discrimination in the carrying out of the order for disarmament as between Jews and non-British Jews. The Acting High Commissioner is reported to have declared that the order was final.