Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1922-07-14
EQUALITY In PALESTINE
British Government Wants a Fair
Deal For ALI.
Object of the Mandate Not so Much
to Establish Jewish State, as to Reg
ulate the Strife Between the Follow
ers of Three Great Competing Reli-

to Establish Jewish State, as to Reg
uIate the Strife Between the Follow
ers of Three Great Competing Reli-
gions.
A. G. Gardner in New York World.
London, July S.-Great Britain's
policy of equal opportunity for all
creeds in Palestine will prevail. The
action of the house of commons in
crushing the opposition to the Ruten-
berg concessions dismisses the likeli-
hood that there will be any serious
departure from the present plans. The
formidable attack in the house of lords
and in the commons upon Zionism has
ended in fiasco.
During the war Balfour committed
England to the undertaking that the
Jewish return to Palestine would be
it's policy when hostilities ended. In
accordance with that promise, Eng
land, in assuming the Palestine man.
date, adopted a scheme to promote
that end. The object was not to es-
tablish a Jewish state. That was i'm
possible in view of the predominanc'
of the Arab population and also be-
cause of the fact that Palestine con-
tains the holy places of three compel
ing religions, Christian, Jewish and
Mohammedan. In the circumstances
the mandatory power was aimed, not
at giving Jews preference, but in es-
tablishing a just, impartial state
where Jews, equally with Arabs and
Christians, would find a secure home.
Noted Jewish Governor.
The first governor was a distn-
guished Jewish statesman, Herbert
Samuels, man of the highest char
acter and ability who filled the office
with conspicuous wisdom and justice.
There has been a strong under-cur-
rent of opposition in England; Of anti
Semitism abroad and of anti-British
influence among certain Catholic
powers. 1t was alleged that during
the war the Allies promised the Arabs
self government. This was only con-
ditional on their support of the Allies
and the Palestine Arabs did not sup
port their cause.
On the other hand the undertaking
to the Jews was absolutely specific.
The fulflment has not injured the
Arabs. 1t has given them cqua
rights with Jews and Christians. 1t
has been alleged, however, that the
Samucls administration favored the
Jews in regard to concessions and
lard policies. There is no evidence
that this criticism is justified.
The assault focused on a concession
to NJ. Gutenberg, a Russian Jew, to
develop electricity through the wafer
resources Of Palestine. The fact that
he is Jew was seized upon with
great indignation. The fact that he
was a Russian Jew was shocking.
There came 4 furious attack in the
house of lords. Efforts were made 10
overthrow the concession and every
vulgar prejudice was exploited. The
fight was transferred to the house of
commons, and there the anti-Zion-
lists met their Waterloo.
Defended by Churchill.
Replying to the attack, Winston
Churchill showed that the colonial
office had closely scrutiniZed the pro-
posal. Under it the Palestine gov
crnment controls prices and limited
profits. Gutenberg himself is n mai
of genius and high character. No one
denies the necessity for the develop
ment of the water power of Palestine.
No one thinks the Arabs are capable
of such development. They reap the
advantage with the rest from the
enterprise.
Ii was suggested that Jew should
not have been favored with the con-
cession and that the business should
belong TO England. Such Il selfish suS-
gestiOn destroyed the bona fdes Of tho
case and the temper Of parliament
showed little sympathy with the anti
Semitic spirit. This is remarkable ir
Il house so reactionary as the present
| The division was almost sensational
in it's emphasis. only thirty-fivc sup
porting the attack with 292 favorint
the government. The result was tn,
most crushing OF defeats for the ant;
|