Treatment of Enemy Aliens
In view of what has happened in Norway, Holland, Belgium and France the Home Secretary had no choice but to tighten up the restrictions on enemy aliens and indeed on all aliens in this country, notwithstanding the fact that a majority in both categories are friendly to this country. But whilst it will be admitted that precautionary measures must be taken in the interests of security, it is incumbent on the Home Office to leave nothing undone to avoid inflicting unnecessary suffering, or depleting the country of the services of our real well-wishers. Under pressure from the military authorities hundreds of Ger- mans and Austrians who have suffered martyrdom of one kind and another at Nazi hands are being interned as potential pro-Nazis, though it is frankly admitted that many of them are persons against whom no suspicions have been entertained. Sir John Anderson has said that he is taking steps to mitigate hardship by exempting from internment persons who have rendered valuable services to the war effort. But again and again reports reach us of wholly unmerited suffer- ing among that class of people whom Sir John proposed to release. The time has come when he should be just as vigilant in searching for evidence of innocence as he has been in guarding against possible danger. Though we cannot afford to take undue risks, neither can we afford to be harsh— especially to our friends. The "intern them all" cry is madness.
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