Sir Arthur Grenfell Wauchope, British High Commissioner for Palestine, warned terrorists tonight that the forces at the Government’s disposal have been greatly increased and will be further augmented if necessary to end current Arab disorders.
In a personal appeal for peace broadcast by the Government-owned Palestine Broadcasting System he said:
“I believe everyone knows the Government has power and will use it to end these criminal acts and restore peace.”
He declared no object could be gained by continued disturbances except “misery for many innocents” and announced that “it will be necessary to continue unhesitatingly to employ military force” until order is restored.
Addressing his listeners as “men and women of Palestine,” he said he wished public opinion to grow up against the current violence. Declaring he wished to remove misconceptions aroused in people’s minds he stated:
“Ignorant people think the Government uses force wantonly and ruthlessly. This is not so. I saw in my life too much bloodshed and suffering entailed in fighting. This is one reason why I want to see a speedy and to the disorders.
“It is the first and fundamental duty of the Government to ensure the security of lives and property of all citizens. There cannot be any misconception about that. Consequently, it will be necessary to continue unhesitatingly to employ military force until this rightful object is attained.
“Sabotage acts, shooting on troops, murder of innocent people by shooting and bombing may continue for a time, but eventually the end is certain. The forces at the Government’s disposal have been greatly increased and will be further increased if need be.
“I believe everyone knows the Government has power and will use it to put an end to these criminal acts and restore peace. There is, therefore, no object to be gained by continuance except to cause more misery for many innocents.”
Referring to the Royal Commission which Britain contemplates sending to investigate the disorders, Sir Arthur said its sole aim would be to obtain a report to enable the Government to do justice to all sections of the population.
The present disorders, he said, are seriously affecting the Government’s financial resources and making reductions in the land tax impossible. To the contrary, he said, they may necessitate an increase.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
