Mr. Eden on Arab Aspirations
Mr. Eden, with special reference to Iraq, made significant re- marks about our relations with the Arab States and their relations one with another. So far as Iraq is concerned, he affirmed that we desire no more than co-operation in accordance with the treaty. But he spoke also of the Arabs in general, and our long tradition of friendship with them, and once again said that the British Government has great sympathy with Syrian aspira- tions for independence; he hinted, moreover, at the possibility of yet further developments when he said that an appeal from the Arab peoples for a greater degree of unity would not go unanswered by Great Britain. The reference to Syria has been warmly welcomed in the Egyptian Press. It has not been forgotten that Great Britain terminated her Mandate in Iraq as soon as circumstances permitted, and Syria, still controlled under the French Mandate (if indeed the Mandate can still be held to exist), is equally ripe for independence. In his allusions to Arab unity, Mr. Eden was doubtless thinking of some plan of federation which would satisfy Arab aspirations, and might, if it included Palestine, go far towards solving the Jewish question. This raises difficult problems which could only be solved satisfactorily by general consent, and it is clear That at this stage Mr. Eden has given no precise pledges about Palestine or our attitude to federation. What he does promise is full support to any scheme that commands the general approval of the Arabs themselves.
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