London, Oct. 21. Unofficial contacts between the Colonial Office and the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem are maintained even now, but official Anglo-Arab negotiations will not 5e launched before the latter part of November, Havas learned today.
The Grand Mufti has been informed that no parleys may be held before at least a fortnight, authoritative quarters declare. Political circles assert that the British Government are not in a hurry to begin negoti tions because the desire o start conversations is growing among the Arabs.
Recent, strict military measures taken throughout Palestine are believed responsible for the Arabs' increasing wish to launch parleys.
The Woodhead Commission's report upon the Holy Land has not yet been handed to the Government This permits the Cabinet to adopt no policy contrary to that followed to the present time. Furthermore, the Government do not wish to begin conversations with the Arabs before order is re-established in Palestine.
It is foreseen that the Grand Mufti, whose prestige has grown since his exile to Syria, may be the head of the Arab delegation when parleys are actually begun. The delegation is expected to represent the Moslem and Christian populations, labour organization and the political group called the "National Palestinian Bloc."
Representatives of the various Arab movements are already in London and are giving the Grand Mufti their ce-operation in his unofficial negotiations, it is understood—Havas.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.