Coll 6/43 'Pan Arab Congress 1933. Attitude of H.M.G. to a Pan Arab Movement' [‎155r] (310/1144)

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every opportunity to win true independence and even sacrificed their desire for
unity in order to obtain it. They made agreements with the hrench tor their
country to be divided into two States—the Lebanon and Syria. Unfortunately
they have been informed by a recent official announcement that, after about
twenty-five years of waiting for freedom, their countries are still to remain part
of the French Empire. At the time of this declaration the French were lying
under the yoke of nazism, and their Governments, both central and colonial, were
supporting the Nazis wholeheartedly. The Arabs cannot believe that this decision
will be upheld by the United Nations.
Southern Syria: now divided into two mandated territories as Palestine and
Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan .
The rivalry of Britain and France has separated these two countries, which
are British mandated territories, from Syria, of which they form an integral
part. Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan enjoys a form of autonomy under the rule of His Royal
Highness Prince Abdullah, son of King Husain, but is as anxious to obtain full
independence as any of the other Arab countries.
Of all the various problems facing the Arab countries, that of Palestine is
the most difficult and calls for most serious attention, because the policy hitherto
followed has resulted in obvious injustice to its original inhabitants, the Arabs,
who still constitute two-thirds of the population. The Arabs of Palestine want
to live independent in their own country, but the Zionist policy aims at wresting
the land from the hands of its legitimate owners in order to transform it into
a Jewish State. The Arabs do not hate the Jews, but they abhor the Zionist
policy, which aims at the annexation of their country. The Zionist Movement
is backed by unlimited funds, powerful institutions and political parties, as well
as by distinguished personalities of great influence in Great Britain and America,
while the Arabs of Palestine can only rely on the justice of their cause and their
own exertions. Although the Arabs of Palestine have the moral support of Arabs
in all neighbouring countries, these countries have been powerless to help them,
materially or militarily, owing to their alliances in force or contemplated with
Great Britain or France. Moreover, the Arab States want a peaceful settlement
by agreement not by force.
The Arabs from the very beginning believed that the pledges that Great
Britain gave to the late King Husain (both when he was Sharif of Mecca and
later when he was King of the Hejaz) included Palestine, Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan and most
of Syria. The declaration stated :—
“ That, subject to certain modifications (which excluded Mersin,
Alexandretta and portions of Syria lying to the west of Damascus, Homs,
Hama and Aleppo), Great Britain is prepared to recognise and uphold the
independence of the Arabs in all the regions lying within the frontiers
proposed by the Sharif of Mecca.”
The British Government has never seriously challenged the Arab contention
that Palestine was included in this pledge conveyed through Sir Henry McMahon
in 1915. (The full text of the correspondence is attached to this note.)
The Balfour Declaration was made subsequent to this definite pledge, and,
when its contents alarmed the Arabs, the British Government sent a special envoy,
Commander Hogarth, to set the doubts of King Husain at rest. King Husain
was assured that ‘ ‘ Jewish settlement in Palestine would only be allowed in so far
as would be consistent with the political and economic freedom of the Arab
population.”
While the terms of the Palestine Mandate give special rights to the Jewish
Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. and Jewish settlers in Palestine, it nowhere lays down that the Jews are
to have a Jewish State in Palestine. (The Arabs, of course, have never accepted
the mandate as legal or binding on them, and in the mandate they are not even
mentioned by name.) In successive Statements of Policy, published as White
Papers, His Majesty’s Government has in 1922, 1930 and 1939 declared that:
“ It is not part of British policy that Palestine should become a Jewish State.”
When Great Britain accepted the mandate for Palestine, her first concern
was to facilitate the creation of a Jewish National Home by assisting the Jewish
Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. and other Jews to purchase land and arrange the peaceful transfer of the
Arab cultivators of such land. She also endeavoured to secure Arab goodwill for
the Jewish National Home. The mandatory was also occupied in establishing
efficient administration and essential public services.
[39—39]
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