Evening star., 1937-07-07
TROOPS MASS|NG
ABOUT JERUSALEM
Arab-Jewish Riots Feared
When British Announce
New Control Plan.
ES the Associated Press.

ES tEe ASSOclateO fIeSS.
JERUSALEM, July All available
troops and police-about II 400 men in
all-were massed today to meet any
fare-up Of smouldering Arab-Jewish
strife that might be touched of by
tonight's publication of the British
Royal Commissions plan for the future
Of the Holy Land.
Seven British regiments, about 1000
men, and approximately 5000 police
were held in readiness as Lieut.. Gen.
Sir Arthur Warchope. British high
commissioner, prepared what was be-
lieved would be an appeal for calm
acceptance Of the report and avoidance
of racial conflict and bloodshed.
Battle Cruiser Arrives.
The heavy British battle cruiser
Repulse arrived at Haifa.
The National Council OF Palestine
Jews appealed for calm and quiet in
this fateful hour for Zionism and the
Jewish community in Palestine OF all
classes and sections"
Sir Arthur announced he would
broadcast a message to both Arabs
and Jews tonight Immediately before
publication of the report.
Pending disclosure of the Palestine
Commissions recommendations, it was
believed the proposals called for divi-
sion of the Holy Land into a Jewish
state, an Arab state and q territory
under British mandate from the
League of Nations.
The coincidence Of the Zionist Con-
gress election falling on the same day
as publication of the report raised
excitement to high pitch among the
Jewish population. Arrangements
were made to suspend voting for l24
delegates to the Congress an hour be-
fore the proposals were disclosed
| Theater performances were ordered
halted in the middle of the evening so
loud speakers could broadcast the high
commissioners speech and the subse-
quent report to theater crowds
Radio stores prepared to entertain
large crowds in front OF their prem
ises.
Both Sir Arthur's address and the
commission report were translated
from English into Hebrew and Arabic.
Copies were dispatched by Royal Air
Force planes to Syria, Egypt and Iraq.
| Shortly before his speech Sir Arthur
called Arab and Jewish leaders into
special conference to discuss the prin-
clpal recommendations of the COM
mission and ask their reaction.
Both Jews and Arabs parties to
years of bitter and sometimes SAN
gulnary disputes over their places in
Che Holy Land, have shown strong
opposition to what was described un-
officially as the royal commissions
partition plan.
The Arab Higher Committee met
Yesterday and was reported to have
decided on tentative course of
action on the basis Of the unofficial
knowledge of the proposals.
high commissioner Wauchope, lust
returned by plane from London.
sought to impress police chiefs, dis
tr1ct governors and other peace Of
ncers with the necessity of preventing
any outbreak today or tomorrow, and
especially Friday, the Moslem Sab
bath.
Military Preparations Completed.
While he conferred with these Of
nclals, extensive military preparations
were completed Lieut.. Gen. Sir
George Weir, commander of British
troops in Egypt, came here to confer
with Lieut.. Gen. John G. Dill, rank
ing officer in Jerusalem.
The Royal British Commission in
vestigated the Holy Land situation
a1'er the Arab general strike waged
last year against continued Jewish
immigration and extended Jewish land
ownership. The strike was accom-