The American Jewish world., 1922-07-14
termine the definite needs of the
Falashas before a countrywide ap-
peal is launched
COMMONS OVERWHELMINGLY
FOR PALESTINE MANDATE
IN PRESENT FORM
Motion to Reconsider and Redraft
British Mandate for Palestine
Rejected by Vote of 292 to IS

is described by Parliamentary OBJ
servers as the most important de-
bate on the Jewish question, the
House of Commons today rejected by
a vote of 292 to 35 the motion of Sir
w. Joynson- Hicks, calling for a re-
consideration Of the terms of the
Palestine Mandate before it is SUBJ
mitted to the League of Nations. BY
way of censuring the governments
present Palestine policy, he moved
reduction of the Co1onial Secretary's
salary by 100 pounds.
Speaking on the vote, prior to
Joynson-Hicks, Olmsby Gore,
staunch friend of the Zionist policy,
reminded the author of the motion of
his statement in 1918 that he (Joyn-
son-Hicks) was "ready to help the
Jews take possession of their own
land" Olmsby Gore said he hoped the
government would in no way be de-
tered by hostile criticism and would
carry out the terms of the Balfour
Declaration, the campaign against the
Declaration being really contrary to
the best British interests.
Lord Eustace Percy, in supporting
the anti-government amendment, at
tackled the Colonial Office for not
having invited English engineers to
compete for the electriication conces-
sions.
Voicing the views of the Labor
Party, Morgan Jones declared he was
sure the Jews and Arabs would live
together in peace if they were left
alone. He was certain, he said, that
the British firms who were envious
of the concession were behind the
present agitation in the press. He
could not understand the misgivings
of the Mohammedans and the Cath
olics, being confident, he said, that
the religious rights would be safe
guarded.
Winston ChurchilPs Statement
Winston Churchill, Colonial Secre-
tary, declared the government was
bound to make the question of this.
motion a vote of confidence. There
were two questions which the House
had to determine, Churchill said.
One, whether the government should
keep the pledges made to Zionists;
and two, whether the administration
charged with carrying out the pledges
was a proper one. While the House
should criticize an improper admin
istration, he said, it could not repud-
late the governments pledge Of 1917.
The pledges that were made during
the war were not only on the merits
of the Zionist case but were consid-
cred valuable because of the support
elected thereby among Jews, partic-
ularly in the United States and Rus
sia, Churchill said.
Continuing, Churchill said that he
accepted his share of this great tran
saction which '1eaves a formidable
obligation upon the government, but
is bound to prove an interchangeable
victory" Parliament, he said, had re-
peatedly approved the acceptance of
the mandate. The fulfllment of the
declaration was an indisputable and
integral part of the mandatory sys-
tenn, and he as Colonial Secretary was
bound to execute these pledges.
Mr.. Churchill then quoted former
statements favoring the Palestine
policy by Lords Gray, Crewe, Cecil
Henderson, Sydenham, and Joynson.
Hicks himself, causing round OF
laughter as he wittily referred to
some of the present anti-Zionists who