The Struggle in Palestine Mr. MacDonald, the Colonial Secretary, did
a sensible thing in flying quietly to Jerusalem and consulting them with the High Commissioner and the other leading British officials, civil and military. His visit was kept a secrc- till it was over, and he wisely made no attempt to confer with Jews or Arabs over the heads of his agents on the spot. Following this, on Tuesday, the High Commissioner broad- cast an appeal to both sides to cease violence. The appeal would have been much more effective if he could have announced that the British Government had made up their minds regarding the future of the country. It is their prolonged and reiterated indecision which invites violence ; and as long as it lasts, violence is likely to continue. We do not criticise the Colonial Secretary nor the Prime Minister ; they are practical men, and may be presumed to know what they would like done. The source of mischief is the divided Cabinet, which, in a situation where almost any policy would be better than none, still condemns Palestine to a demoralising uncertainty. Meantime, few people suppose that the Arab bandits could continue their campaign if they had not very considerable external support. Italy's new anti-Jewish campaign has been said to be not uncon- nected with Palestine.
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