In Palestine

Once a year the "fastest ship in the world" is taken off the transatlantic express service. In order that U. S. babbitts may dash once around the Mediterranean and back to work, the Mauretania makes that circuit every winter at a speed considerably above that of Balkan express trains.*

Last week this sleekest of ocean greyhounds nosed into Haifa, the port of call for Jerusalem, and one who is not a babbitt hastened ashore.

He was Colonel Edward Mandell House, perhaps the most astute "diplomat without portfolio" that the U. S. has produced. As such he was welcomed to Jerusalem in behalf of the Palestine Zionist Executive /- feted, shown over the new Zionist suburb of Hadar Ha' carmel. Then he rushed out to Nazareth with many another.

As dusk fell Colonel House dashed up the gangplank of the Mauretania. Soon her propellers were frothing a mile-long track of bubbles in the moonlight.

* Approximately 29 miles per hour.

/- The officials agency of the Jewish population before the British High Commissioner, who administers Palestine as a League mandate.