ARAB RIGHTS IN PALESTINE
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] SIR,—" The airy birds of promise come home to roost." This is a phrase under which T. E. Lawrence, in Seven Pillars of Wisdom, describes how the British Government persuaded the Arabs to revolt against their masters the Turks by promising to support the establishment of native governments in parts of Syria and Mesopotamia when they knew that by treaty France, England and Russia had agreed to annex some of these promised areas and to establish their sphere of interest over the rest. T. E. Lawrence was appealed to by the Arabs to tell them which of the many promises made by the British Government it was prudent for them to believe. He replied by assuring them that "England kept her promises in letter and spirit." For doing this he felt dishonoured 'and ashamed in the great day of Victory at Damascus. It is impossible to read his great work of the Seven Pillars without feeling an intense sympathy with the Arabs and a desire to know how far England is now fulfilling her promises to them under the Palestinian Mandate.
In the official report upon this subject by Sir John. Hope Simpson, published in 1980, it is pointed out that Article 0 of the Mandate contains these words : " It is the duty of the Administration of Palestine to ensure that the rights and position of the Arabs are not prejudiced by Jewish immigra- tion." On page 54, in dealing with the effect of the Zionist Colonisation on the Arab, Sir John writes : " Actually the purchase of land in Palestine by the-Jewish National Fund has been that the land • has been extraterritorialised. It ceases to be land from which the Arab can gain advantage now or at any time in the future. Not only can he never hope to lease or cultivate• it, but by the stringent provisions, of the lease of the Jewish National Fund he is deprived for ever
from employment on that land. The land is in mortmain and inalienable." Further, on page 55, he says : " The principle of perpetual' boycott of Arab labour in the Zionist Colonies is not only contrary to the promises of Article 6 of the Mandate but it is in addition a constant and increasing source of danger to the country." I learn upon the best authority that there has been no change in these conditions.
Justice and consideration for the honour of England.demand that this boycott should cease, and I know of nothing se potent to achieve this as the columns of an influential news- paper.—I remain, Sir, with great respect, yours faithfully, The Athenaeum.
CECIL M. CHAPMAN.
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