THE ALIENS QUESTION
SIR,—We must not lose sight of the fact that the chief blunders in the internment of aliens have been caused by a complete lack of policy. The first question which should have been decided at the outbreak of war was—not who should be locked up, or even who should be put in categories A, B or C, but what kinds of alien do we want to leave at liberty?—and the answer should be, not merely those who can be useful to us at the moment, but those who can show an undoubted record of opposition to Nazism. The first prac- tical step, and one that is still urgently needed, should haVe been the formation of a nucleus of absolutely reliable refugees who could be vouched for up to she hilt by trustworthy British subjects. No all- British committee can adequately take the place of such a body in giving sound advice on refugee problems and in helping, through contacts in refugee circles, to decide cases where the dossier of a particular refugee leaves room for doubt as to his loyalty. None of the tribunals, carefully conducted as they were, could hope to have the necessary knowledge of political conditions in Germany, Austria and Czecho-Slovakia. Any system, unfortunately, would result in some injustices, but these would be very much less if the right advice were enlisted.
One injustice that could not have been committed if proper advice had been sought is the treatment of Stateless persons, formerly German or Austrian, as " enemy aliens." It is safe to say that the majority of these had either been deprived of German nationality as enemies of Nazism (or as Jews), or had refused to give up Austrian nationality when their country was annexed.
Only lack of policy seems to explain the weird system whereby the War Office took charge of the men and the Home Office of the women, with most cruel separations of families as the result. Only lack of policy seems to explain the internment of, and the failure now to release, men who could be of inestimable value in the field of propaganda.
Although injustices have been committed that can never be repaired, it is something that public opinion has been able to make itself felt and to bring about improvements. But unfortunately blunders and cruelties will continue so long as we have no clear and comprehensive policy towards aliens, thpught out and put into practice with the help of a nucleus of trustworthy refugees whose one aim is to destroy HitlerisM and all its works.—I am, Sir, yours faithfully,
SEBASTIAN STAFFORD.
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