The Palestine Problem While sporadic disturbances in Palestine continue, though
the country as a whole may be regarded as once more under effective British control, preparations for the London Con- ference are going forward not unhopefully. Mr. MacDonald's announcement that any of the Arab leaders at present under detention in the Seychelles may be appointed as delegates has made a good impression among the Arabs, and so has Lord Samuel's speech in the House of Lords, repeating his previous proposal that the Jewish population of Palestine should not be allowed, for a period of years at any rate, to exceed go per cent. of the whole. In spite of the vigorous criticism the speech has evoked in some Zionist circles it must command high respect as coming from one of the most distinguished of living Jews, who was, moreover, for five years High Conunissioner of Palestine. Between his proposal and Dr. Weizmann's reiterated demand for a clear Jewish majority there can be no reconciliation—but neither can there between Dr. Weizmann's demand and the minimum stipulations of the Arabs. This is one of the points on which the British Govern- ment will almost inevitably have ultimately to impose a decision, and it will be surprising if it is not substantially on Lord Samuel's lines.
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