JEWISH CHILDREN IN GERMANY
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] Sta,—Readers of The Spectator are not unfamiliar with the general conditions governing the lives of Jews and other " Non-Aryans " in Germany. Perhaps they are less aware of the special manner in which the racial legislation and anti- Semitic propaganda affect the children from their earliest years. The official limitations placed upon their education vary in their severity according to the degree of " Non- Aryanism " of the children and are too complex to be outlined here. But it is probably the unofficial repercussions of the State's attitude towards those of Jewish blood which have the most direct and devastating effect upon the minds and bodies of growing children. To be officially debarred, as they are, from joining the Hitler Youth may sound a small disadvantage. Actually it proves a major factor : the child is thereby cut off from all collective games and sports, from hiking parties and the entry of public swimming baths. A member of the Hitler Youth is not regarded with favour, and is liable to incur the strongest displeasure of his leaders (with all that is implied by that), if he associates even in the privacy of the home with a " Non-Aryan." In his school the " Non- Aryan " is classed as an inferior being, fit only for the contempt and derision of his fellows, and in extreme cases, not so rare as one would hope, is liable to physical violence. Thus the child becomes isolated and " shut in " upon himself ; if there are no other " Non-Aryans " in the district, he or she may never know at all the companionship of another child. At best, school life can only be a period of silent endurance under provocation.
We cannot ask you for sufficient space in which to describe the many other ways in which the racial attitude affects the children. But let anyone with imagination picture what must be the existence of a child living among people who are subjected to the unceasing drumming, day after day, in season and out, of hatred-propaganda against the race to which he or she belongs or to which a parent or grandparent has belonged. The result is too tragic to contemplate with equanimity. Many of the children display a magnificent courage beyond their years, but others, more sensitive perhaps or of less tough fibre, are broken in the process and can only be saved by removal to a more peaceful environment. It is on behalf of these children that we write to you. The Inter- Aid Committee has, for the past year, been helping, within the limits of its financial ability, some of those who have suffered
most severely. They are placed in English schools or families and have shown that in the right environment they can rebuild quickly. They must be trained eventually for emigration, but in the meantime they can be equipped in some measure for the difficulties which, in the face of exaggerated nationalism, they must be prepared to encounter in almost every quarter of the globe.
To those who have at heart the happiness of children, and those who still affirm that there exist certain inalienable human rights; we appeal for financial assistance. We are in urgent need of funds with which to maintain the children we have here and, -if possible, to rescue further children who must find peace or face the disruption of their being.—Yours truly, WYNDHAM DEEDES, Chairman, 20 Gordon Square, W.C.z.
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