Evening star., 1947-12-05
Writer Recalls Arabs
Predicted Partition
Reaction Last July
By Not Borrows
Speciol Correspondent Of The s'or and
'he Chicago Dolly News

| 'he Chicago Daily News
| LAKE SUCCESS, N. Y, Dec. s.
Three Arabs-an educator, a banker
and a newspaper publisher-clari-
fed for me in Palestine why the
world of Islam reacts so violently
against Zionism.
Their views put into perspective
some of the answers to the current
riots In the Middle East protesting
against United Nations partition of
the Holy Land.
I quote directly from my talks
with them last summer while the
u. N. Special Committee on Pales-
tine was studying the problem.
First-Sami Ahmed Khalidi, pres
ident Of the Arab College, Jerusa-
lem, a highly intelligent Moslem
educated at the American College in
Beirut.
Mr.. Khalidi, member of family
which has been in Palestine since
the Moslem defeat of the Christians
in the crusades, talked with me in
a room whose furnishings marked
him as a man OF breeding and back
ground. His exceedingly attractive
wife and daughter sat with us at
tea, often joining the conversation.
He said:
I'VE are the majority here-we
Arabs. You of the west have no
right to inquire into our right to
live in our own country. Partition
would abrogate our right Of self
determination.
| Certain to Bring Clashes"
ut is certain to bring clashes, for
it is utterly unacceptable to the
Arabs. It would result ultimately in
massacre.
partition would result in ven
geance killings in other Arab coun-
tries and in no time the whole Arab
world would be in flames.
II foresee the Palestine Arabs
forced to take a beating in the first
encounters with the Jews II parti-
ton comes to pass. But the Jews
are surrounded by an Arab sea.
I'VE would rally throughout all
Islam-and time will be on our
side"
The east, he said, has lost faith
in western diplomacy.
I'm the old days" Mr.. Khalidi
continued. "the east saw only the
best of the west-educators, mis-
| sionaries, archaeologists. priests,
welfare workers.
Il used to feel that every west
erner was a holy man. Then came
the Balfour declaration and dis
illusionment. Since then I have
seen no ray of light from the west.
II could easily be bitter at Amer
lea for wanting to pour more Jews
into Palestine. Why not send them
to Texas? To Arizona?"
young banker, highly educated
widely travelled, member Of a proud
family. He said:
I'VE Arabs claim the land as
rightful occupants. We fear not
only more immigration but future
encroachments even after immigra-
ton becomes static.
Fear Jewish Expansion.
THE Jews would never be salts
fed with their boundaries even If
they got a state OF their own.
"Ihe Arabs are being awakened
by a spirit of nationalism as fierce
as the nationalisn of the Zionists.
And It is more potent among the
| Arabs because it enbodies a deep
religious appeal, not political am
bition.
MANY Arab intellectuals are
aware, Of course, that Palestine Is
merely pawn. Hence we would ex-
pect uprisings here to attract out
side help.
IF partition came to Palestine,
there would always be border Incl
dents and constant trouble from
Jewish expansionist ambitions"
Third-Ibrahim Shanti, editor of
the newspaper Al-Difaa in Jaffa
with whom I talked as his guest at
an Arab picnic feast on hill over
looking the Mediterranean. He said
Arab fear of the Zionists is moi
anti-Jewish but growing distrust
that the Jews are willing to be con-
tanned within any established
border.
This is our country first of all
We are the majority. We rose up In
1869 to protest against Jewish
immigration and we will rise agair
if any U.N. decision gives lis less
than full Arab independence fol
all Palestine.
IT predict the bloodiest uprising
Of all unless immigration is halted
And any trouble here would be re-
fected Immediately in demonstra-
tions against Jews in other Arat
countries"
Il All this was said last July. They
knew of what they predicted, i
appears.