Search JTA's historical archive dating back to 1923

Ormsby-gore Backs Curbs on Arabs; Tells House New Commission Awaits Peace

October 22, 1937
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
Advertisement

THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TODAY BACKED THE STRINGENT MEASURES TAKEN BY ITS PALESTINE ADMINISTRATION TO SUPPRESS ARAB TERRORISM AND OUTLINED FUTURE PLANS FOR EFFECTING A TRIPARTITE DIVISION OF THE HOLY LAND.

THE NEW COMMISSION WHICH WILL BE SENT TO PALESTINE TO FORMULATE A CONCRETE PARTITION SCHEME WILL NOT BE APPOINTED UNTIL ORDER IS COMPLETELY RESTORED, WILLIAM G.A. ORMSBY-GORE, COLONIAL SECRETARY, INFORMED COMMONS, WHICH CONVENED AFTER A THREE-MONTH RECESS.

REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY ANEURIN BEVAN, LIBERAL, MR. ORMSBY-GORE STATED:

“IN VIEW OF THE RESOLUTIONS OF THE COUNCIL AND THE ASSEMBLY OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS, HIS MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT REGARD THEMSELVES FREE TO UNDERTAKE THE INVESTIGATIONS REQUIRED FOR THE PURPOSE OF WORKING OUT A SCHEME OF TRIPARTITE PARTITION OF PALESTINE ON THE LINES RECOMMENDED BY THE ROYAL COMMISSION.

“ACCORDINGLY, IT IS PROPOSED TO APPOINT IN DUE COURSE A FURTHER SPECIAL BODY TO SUBMIT PROPOSALS AFTER A LOCAL ENQUIRY FOR A DETAILED SCHEME OF TRIPARTITE PARTITION. THE COUNCIL AND ASSEMBLY WILL BE INVITED TO APPROVE SUCH A SCHEME.”

REFERRING TO THE RECRUDESCENCE OF TERRORISM IN SEPTEMBER IN PALESTINE, THE COLONIAL SECRETARY SAID THAT PROMPT AND FIRM ACTION HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO DEAL WITH POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS, WHICH HE HELD MAINLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE CRIMES AND OUTRAGES.

“I AM SURE THE HOUSE WILL AGREE THAT THE IMMEDIATE AND PRIMARY DUTY OF THE GOVERNMENT AND OF THE PALESTINE ADMINISTRATION IS TO TAKE THE MOST STRENUOUS MEASURES TO CONQUER TERRORISM, PROTECT THE LIVES OF BRITISH OFFICERS AND RESTORE THE EFFECTIVE AUTHORITY OF THE CIVIL BRITISH ADMINISTRATION THROUGHOUT PALESTINE,” MR. ORMSBY-GORE SAID.

HE REFUSED TO GIVE A DEFINITE ANSWER TO A QUESTION FROM THE FLOOR AS TO WHETHER THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE NEW COMMISSION WOULD BE SUBMITTED TO A JOINT PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE. HE LIMITED HIMSELF TO DECLARING THAT THE COMMISSION WOULD NOT BE APPOINTED UNTIL ORDER WAS RESTORED.

REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY ANEURIN BEVAN, LABORITE, MR. ORMSBY-GORE SAID THE MILITARY AUTHORITIES IN PALESTINE HAVE THE FULLEST SUPPORT OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT IN ITS REPRISALS AGAINST ARABS. HE DECLARED HIMSELF SATISFIED THAT HAJ AMIN EL HUSSEINI, THE MUFTI OF JERUSALEM, HAD BEEN OPERATING AGAINST BRITAIN DURING HIS WHOLE PERIOD IN OFFICE.

INSPECTOR-GENERAL SAUNDERS OF THE NIGERIA POLICE HAS BEEN APPOINTED INSPECTOR-GENERAL OF POLICE AND PRISONS IN PALESTINE, THE COLONIAL SECRETARY ANNOUNCED, TO REPLACE ROY G.B. SPICER. SIR CHARLES TREGART, FORMERLY OF THE INDIA POLICE, WILL GO TO PALESTINE ON A TEMPORARY MISSION TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON POLICE ORGANIZATION.

Recommended from JTA

Advertisement