British Mandate: A Survey of Palestine: Volume I - Page 33

CHAPTER II.
had acted independently and often in opposition to each other. The sixth party, the Istiqlal, remained aloof for the time being.

June, 1935.

On the occasion of the King's Birthday the High Commissioner extended a generous measure of clemency to those serving sentences of imprisonment for criminal acts during the 1929 disturbances, and remitted the balance of collective fines imposed on account of those disturbances.

October, 1935.

A large quantity of arms and ammunition smuggled in a consignment of cement from Belgium was discovered at Jaffa port and led to rumours among Arabs that the Jews were extensively arming themselves. Agitation was fostered by a press campaign, by speeches and a one-day Arab strike of protest.

November, 1.935.

The existence of the first Arab armed gang under Sheikh Izzed Din al Kassam was discovered; the band was liquidated by police action; the death of the leader and his funeral in Haifa led to a strong wave of Arab patriotic emotion.

25th November, 1935.

The leaders of the five united Arab parties presented a memorandum to the High Commissioner demanding :

(1) The establishment of democratic government;

(2) the prohibition of the transfer of Arab lands to Jews; and (3) the immediate cessation of Jewish immigration, the formation of a competent committee to determine the absorptive capacity, legislation requiring the carrying of identity cards and an immediate investigation into illegal immigration.

21st and 22nd December, 1935.

The High Commissioner, having judged that the municipal councils were operating sufficiently well to warrant a further step in the development of self-governing institutions, communicated to the Arab and Jewish leaders a proposal for the establishment of a Legislative Council with a large unofficial majority: the twenty-eight members were to be composed as follows : 5 officials, 2 nominated representatives of commerce, 8 elected and 3 nominated Moslems, 3 elected and 4 nominated Jews and) elected

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