THE PROBLEM OF PALESTINE
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.]
SIR,—In his article on the Jewish problem in Palestine, Sir Evelyn Wrench assumes an air of impartiality which is most exasperating. When he states a view and a solution which he vaguely attributes to" a British friend," are we to understand that it is a view of an individual that he himself endorses, or the opinion of the British public in general ?
He admits that the carrot that was held in front of the Jews in the shape of the Balfour declaration had already been offered to the Arabs. In spite of this he asserts that Britain must keep faith with both Arab and Jew—which is impossible. He emphasizes the fact that both sides may expect scrupu- lously fair treatment—yet he admits that Britain obtained the benefits of a contract for a consideration which they did not, in fact, possess. He suggests Britain guaranteeing an Arab majority for the next twenty years, but nothing is said about a guarantee for the Jews.
Although Sir Evelyn magnanimously admits thitt, Jews usually become useful, loyal and integral members of the com- munities in which they find themselves, he ominously states that the present predominant anti-Semitism will sooner or later cause hundreds of thousands of Jews to seek a home. To solve the latter he makes vague mention of the British Empire, but does not make a specific suggestion for a suitable part of the Empire.
Perhaps he would suggest that the Jews should be invited to set their proverbial genius to the task of raising a flourishing colony on the sands of the Sahara ?—I am, Sir, &c.,
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