THE QUESTION OF PALESTINE. - [To the -Editor of the
SPECTATOR.]
Sra,—The only two reasons that you now advance for urging the withdrawal of the Goverrunent from Palestine are the alleged inability of the local authorities " to develop the country on the revenue which is at present available " and the possibility of riots. May I respectfully point out that these two reasons are interconnected, and that they are both due to a third factor—the encouragement given by a certain section of the British Press to the agitation carried on by a number of Arab malcontents ? As long as this encourage- ment continues it is unreasonable to expect that the artificially fomented discontent will die out, and as long as discontent continues it will have a restraining influence upon those who would otherwise be disposed to invest their capital in the country. Hence those who are desirous of helping the Administration of Palestine should cease to demand its disappearance. The Zionist Organization has been able during the last few years, directly and indirectly, to bring £5,000,000 into Palestine for the general development of the country, and it would undoubtedly have been able to command even larger resources but for the feeling of uneasiness and uncertainty spread by those who wish the Government to withdraw. But whatever reasons may be urged for such an act, none has yet been advanced that could possibly justify or extenuate the breach of a national obligation of honour that it would involve.—I am, Sir, &c.,
ISRAEL Coimw, General Secretary. The Zionist Organization, 77 Great Russell Street, London, W .C. 1.
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