The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-07-09
PARTITI0NING
OF PALESTINE
ANALYZED
BY A. N. WECKSLER

both jew ana Arap on JIe pdCl
and thrown a bone to each in tn
proposal for the partitioning o
Palestine, hoping to remove
focal point of danger in the Nea
East.
Under the recommendations O.
the British Royal Commission
Jews are given a state with re
stricted autonomy, the size Of
which approximates a toy king
dom.
Arabs, on the other hand, are
granted control over roughly two
thirds of Palestine, largely the hill
portion.
Britain has retained the role OF
watchdog and mediator over the
friction which is present now be
tween Jew and Arab, and which
is expected to continue.
Two Birds Killed"
BY one stroke Britain claims to
have made good two of its obi
cations. One to foster a Jewish
State, promised under the Bal
four Declaration. The other to
aid in the establishment of an
Arabic Federation, nebulous
promise given in exchange for
Arab support during the World
War.
However, there still remains the
problem of maintaining calm and
order in a country which has for
centuries seen nothing but turmoil
and upheaval. And this problem
Britain reserves as its reason for
maintaining a mandate over i'm
portant Palestine territory.
Arabs must be assured economic
aid, and Jews must be assured pro.
lection, and Britain sets itself up
as the guarantor.
Jews Bear Costs
After the Jewish State is carved
out of Palestine, the remaining
country would become part of
TranS-Jordania, which at present
is ruled by an Arab Emir, who is
strongly influenced by the British
government in all matters pertain
ing to internal affairs and rela'
tons between his country and
surrounding Arab areas.
At present schools, roads and
government in Palestine are prin-
cipally supported through taxes
paid by Jewish settlers, and in
Trans-Jordania, which is now sadly
lacking in these facilities.
Economically UnSOund
Economically the new Arab
State would be in bad straits, and
Britain proposes to grant approx
mately ten million dollars to it.
This grant would further in
crease the economic penetration OF
Britain into the affairs of Trans
Jordania and the government of
the new State would in effect be a
puppet government.
The principal concessions to the
Arabs are a definite limitation
upon the aspirations Of the Jews
as far as the amount of territory
available to them for settlement,
and the promise of British aid in
developing the country.
To the Jews, Britain gives one
important concession and for this
concession they are expected to
pay heavily.
Goal for Centuries
The creation of a Jewish State,
the goal of Jews since the destruc'
ton of the Temple by Emperor
Titus, is the realization Of the
fondest dreams of Jews through
out the world.
However to attain this goal they
are expected to restrict their
claims to a small percentage OF
the country to which they lay
claim. Whereas the Jews claim
that the Balfour Declaration
promised them all of Palestine to
gether with Trans-Jordania, the
State granted them is smaller than
Delaware.
And while Jews feel that Pales
tine should provide a haven for
prosecuted refugees from other
countries, the Hebrew absorption
capacity of Palestine will thus be
further limited.
No Less Friction
While Jews visualized return
to the soil, and the creation of an
agricultural economy in Palestine
the partitioning of the country will
definitely force a greater empha
sis on industrial development.
In addition the huge border ere
ated for the Jewish State by the
piecemeal concessions of land will
provide a constant source of fric
tiCn between Jew and Arab as does
the present status Of Jews in Pales
tine.
The only faction concerned
which does not lose prestige in
the partition is Great Britain it
self.
Still retaining control ovel
Trans-Jordania, whether or no
portions of Palestine are included
in its boundary, Britain will also
be a dominant power in the Jew
ish State.
Perfect Alibi
Britain can always excuse it!
position in the country by declar
ing that the Jewish and Aral
states need a strong militar!
power to keep them at peace.
And with the classic policy o
divide and rule" as background
Britain can through following tn