The announced retirement on a pension of Ernest T. Richmond, director of the Department of Palestine Antiquities, led Palestine newspapers to recall his earlier pro-Arab and anti-Jewish activities. He will be succeeded by Professor M. Holley, director of Antiquities in Iraq.
During the administration of Sir Herbert Samuel, Richmond was political secretary to the High Commissioner. Together with the noted Arabian traveller and convert to Mohammedanism, H. St. John B. Philby, he attempted to proclaim the late King Hussein of Arabia, then living in Transjordania, Caliph of Islam. The affair caused great embarrassment both to the Palestine administration and the British government.
Richmond resigned his position, but despite the great outcry against him in Jewish circles in Palestine, was appointed to the post in the Department of Anti-quities. He is leaving now because he has reached the compulsory retirement age.
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