The Denver Jewish news., 1923-01-24
lJewlsh Tclegrnphie AGENCY

(Jewish Tclegraphic Agency
.Ierusalem-The report of the Gov
ernment of Palestine cOverip: the pc
riod of Sir Herbert Samuels steward
ship from July 1920 TO December 1921.
just issued shows that the commercial
situation in 1921 was subject 10 the
general depression hut owing to the
restricted naturt of the commercial en-
terprises of Palestine. the results Of
this depression were felt less keeniy
than in most other countries. Local
merchants having been extremely eau
tious in their commitments and the
banks having wisel! withheld credit
facilities. there were no bankruptcies
during the period under review.
The forewOrd Of the report says that
the essentials of a Stnte. that is pub-
lie security. the administration Of JUS
tice and the institution Of sound pub
lie finance were amply provided. and
that the country had responded fav-
Orably. showing signs of entering
period of prosperous development. The
cost of the Civil Administration had
been .defrnyed by the country. the
Turkish system Of taXatiOn having been
continued with the objectionable fea-
lures removed. The report stater also
that the Turkish tobacco monopoly
held by the Reggie Co. had been abolish-
ed with the subsequent lowering Of
prices. Yet the Government has taen
enabled to increase It's revenue. The
cultivation of tobacco. mostly for local
consumption. hns egan several Gig.
arctic factories being started In vari-
GUS parts OF the country. The refsnrt
alsO calls attention to the gradual m
forms instituted in the financing Of
the municipalities.
Continuing the AdminisfratiOn's re-
port. 1t is stated that the police forcr
is composed Of 1000 men. representing
the various sections of the population
The standards OF the police force are
undergoing constant Improvement and
a local gentla rmerie has been created
which promises great efficiency. The
cost of the British Military Garrison
which was f4.OOO.0OO in 1921 was esti-
mated to have been reduced to one
half for 1922 and there are hopes for
considerable further reduction for 1878
and subsequent years.
The Administration has been respOn-
sible for the establishment Of efficient
law-courts and ma gistrncy and marked
L. haa an
tary conditions of the towns and in
health of the population. Vigorous
campaigns against malaria and trnch-
oma are being wagcd and the water
supply improved.
In the educational field the Govern
ment is carrying out program ef
primary schools for Arab children
throughout the whole country. During
1921 the Government opened 10 such
schools. A land survey of the whole
country has been begun and the reg
istration of land ownership cominenc-
ed The land Court which has been
established is aiding in clearing the
existing confusion as to titles.
The whole OF the railway system has
been taken over by the Administration
and is being operated without loss.
The public works department has en-
gagged during the past two years In
road construction. the main roads with
few exceptions now being in good or
der. The Post Office pays its own way
and is improving in efficiency and tie
public telephone system which had
been initiated by the British Admin
istration, is developing rapidly.
Passing to the measures taken by
the Government looking towards the
fulfillment Of the Jewish National
Home program. the report states that
in accordance with the policy of Lord
Balfour's Zionist Declaration of which
the full text is given. the Hebrew Ian
guage has been granted official status
and is being used by the Administration
in places where there is n considerable
Jewish element. Immigration had been
permitted in accordance with the ca
pacity of the country to absorb nddi-
tional population. 1900 immigrants.
almost all Jews. having been admitted
during the period untrr review. No
noticeable increase in the Jewish pop
ulation is reported. however. since
De-