ARMS FOR THE ARABS
SIR,—Your note on the fighting between the Jews and Arabs in Palestine ends with the suggestion that, since the former have succeeded in arming themselves from various sources, this country should now relax be arms embargo against the Arab States. It is hard to see what benefit the Arabs could derive from such a change of policy. To be of value in imposing restraint upon a determined and disciplined foe, arms must be in. the hands of well-trained and well-led troops. There is little evidence at present to suggest that the Arabs (excepting the British-trained Arab Legion) could employ any arms which they might acquire as a result of the lifting of the embargo, other than by conducting guerrilla warfare which would result only in chaos and suffering for all concerned. An Arab attempt to wage a regular campaign would probably end with their arms falling into the hands of the Jews, thus leaving them worse off than before. The experience of arming the Chinese Nationalists has hardly been sufficiently happy to warrant encouraging the Arabs to buy foreign weapons. Your note lays timely emphasis on the probability of further Jewish expansion. The State of Israel grows in power and influence day by day, and may well soon become the leading Power in the
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