The situation in Palestine shows little promise of amelioration. The
High Commissioner, Sir Herbert Samuel, is still making efforts to induce the Arab popula- tion to take part in the government of their country. It will be remembered that the attempt to set up a Legisla- tive Council was frustrated by an Arab boycott of the elections. This year the Government attempted to set up an Advisory Council, but again the Arabs refused their co-operation. Now, Sir Herbert Samuel has proposed to establish an " Arab Agency," which would balance the " Jewish Agency " which is already in existence, and act as an advisory body to the Government. But again the Arabs have refused to co-operate. Thus, for the present the British Government must continue unassisted in its task of administering the country under the mandate of the League of Nations. The High Commissioner reiterated the Government's intention to abide by the Balfour Declaration of November, 1917, promising Palestine as a national home for the Jews. It still looks as though Arab co-operation is hardly to be expected as long as this is the declared policy of the Government. The one bright side of the picture is that material prosperity is said to be returning to the country.
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