Evening star., 1940-02-29

rea0On6 10r the BIlClSn government
drastic action In curtailing the
transfer Of land from Arabs to Jews
In large part Of Palestine.
Although Palestine at the moment
Is quieter than 1t has been for years,
those responsible for British policy
there feel that another rebellion ia
almost bound to occur unless some
thing definite is done to placate the
Arab population. In time OF war,
and particularly when the Near East
threatens to become q theater OF
active operations, it is felt that such
an outbreak would be intolerable.
Finally, In taking this definite step
to curb expansion of the Jewish
National Home, the authorities
point to the fact that every COM
mission which has investigated the
Palestine question has invariably
recommended restrictions on the in
discriminate transfer of land from
the Arab population to the Jews.
Long Term Policy.
Back Of these immediate considers
tions lies the long-term policy of
the Government, according to which
Palestine is to be reserved for both
Arabs and Jews and Is not to be
allowed to be absorbed entirely by
Jews. This policy was openly avowed
In a white paper published May
l8, 1899.
While there are now approximate
ly 100000 Arabs and only about
100000 Jews in Palestine today,
British experts calculate that, as
things have gone to date, the Arab
population would be bound to be-
come a minority. According to these
calculations, the Arab population
will continue to increase at slight
ly greater rate than the Jewish
population for q further eight years,
after which the Jewish population,
which is comparatively younger, will
achieve q greater rate of increase
Consequently. they do not feel that
the Arab population can be saved
from virtual determination unless
it Is given some definite guarantee
of a place in which to live undis-
turbed.
Divided Into Three Areas.
AS announced yesterday, Palestine
is divided into three areas for pur-
poses of present restrictions. In
AREA A." which comprises a large
part of Palestine's less fertile hill
country, land transfers will be COM
pletely prohibited until further no.
tice. In AREA B" they will be subject
to restrictions and. in practice, will
generally be prohibited. In the third
area, which includes nearly all of
the highly fertile maritime plain, and
in all municipal areas land sales
may continue. Restrictions will be
effective retroactively to May 1S,
1899.
AS was expected by the authori-
ties, the announcement of the gov
ernment's plan brought q storm of
abuse from all sides and a repeti-
ton of the charge that the British
government has not observed the
terms Of its mandate over Palestine.
According to article vi of the man.
date, the British administration is
charged with facilitating Jewish
immigration to Palestine under
suitable conditions and with en-
couraging the close settlement Of
Jews on the land. Now, as on SINH
lar occasions in the past, the gov
ernment stresses another part of
article vi which states that rights
and position of other sections of the
population are not prejudiced."
Action Brings Criticism.
Particularly bitter complaints are
being directed against the govern
ment for taking the present step
without first consulting and securing
the approval Of the Permanent
Mandates Commission Of the League
Of Nations. This commission, Incl
dentally, decided last year by four
votes to three that the policy set