The Denver Jewish news., 1925-06-25
The Digest
The Appointment OF Field Marshall
Lord Plumcr as High Commission.
er in Palestine.

lea and Great Britain have expressed
their satisfaction with the appoint
ment of Lord Plumer as British High
Commissioner in Palestine to succeed
Sir Herbert Samuel, there is a strong
minority that is not at all elated.
This minority led by the outspoken
Jewish Chronicle of London considers
Lord Plumer's appointment as a veri-
tication of Mr.. Israel Zangwills state
ment that Palestine is considered as
a Crown Colony by the British Gov
ernment. The Yiddish press of this
country deplores the fact that Sir
Herbert Samuel was not retained in
office, but some papers are inclined
to believe that the change may in
some way even be beneficial to
the future of the Jewish home
land. The Jewish Daily News, in
long editorial on May 22nd,
under the caption Samuel and
Piumer," underscores the Importance
of the Jewish High Commissioner in
Palestine. The paper argues that Sir
Herpert's lenient policy toward Arab
extremists was dictated by London
and deplores the fact that Sir Herbert
and Lady Samuel will no longer oc-
cupy the Government House in Je-
rusalem. Summarizing Sir Herbert's
activities, the Daily News says:
ale laid the cornerstone of the ma
tional Jewish home. Under his ad-
ministration fifty thousand new jew
ish resident came to Palestine. jew
ish towns blossomed. The important
Rutenburg concession was given, and
Hebrew was recognized on all gov
ernment documents, in post offices,
railway service, and government in
stitutions. Under his administration,
large tracts of land were bought by
Jews and new colonies established.
The work in Palestine was expedited
and the accomplishment of Sir Her
bert Samuel's labor of five years in
eNlueIit 10 tNeryDOds.
"The argument that Christian
High Commissioner may do even bet
ter than a Jew because he will not be
called upon to go to extremes in Or
der to prove his impartiality, is at
best sophistry. All that the great
est optimist can wish is that Field
Marshal Lord Plumer or any other
Christian in his place should continue
Samuels policy. Under no circum-
stances can this change be considered
gain while the loss is definite.
''The attitude of the new High Com
missioner to Zionism is not known be-
yond the claim that he is in favor of
the Balfour declaration. His being a
military man may be beneficial to the
Jews. 1t shows that the Government
wants to rule Palestine strictly and
there is hope that the Arab agitators
will not win his sympathies. England
wants peace in the land and that is
good for the Jews. Let US hope that
it will end well and that we will be
able to continue our work with more
courage in the great task of up-build-
ing our land
The Jewish Morning Journal, in an
editorial Under the caption "The Pass
ing of Samuel and Allenby" says:
"The filling of both offices must be
considered together in order to under
stand why the wish of considerable
body of Jewish public opinion that
Sir Herbert Samuel should remain in
office for another term of five years,
could not be fulfilled Signs of a
changing policy adopted to the new
situation in the Near East are evident
in both appointments. The successor
of the civil statesman in Palestine is
General Of the first rank who made
his reputation as great war leader,
and the place of the famous warrior
in Egypt is being filled by civil of
ficer, the former Governor of Bombay.
when civil officer is to take care
of the British interests in Egypt, it
is fitting that Field Marshall should
be stationed in the Near Palestine
which is completely in British hands.
Palestine is, thereby becoming far
more important to British dominion
in Western Asia and Northern Africa
which affects not only sgypt but also
Syria and Arabia. A little north.
France is being troubled in Morocco
in manner that occupies more its
soldiers than its politicians. The deli
cate work Of man like Samuel may
be necessary later; just now the Ian
guage of a Field Marshal will be clear
er understood in those parts.
"As Jews, We hope that the new
High Commissioner in Palestine will
fulfill his duties as loyal soldier, and
in view of the fact that the Balfour
Declaration is part of the accepted
British policy he will carry it out hon
estly and faithfully. That is all that
we shOuId Or hayp n ripht tn .gk and