Sul,—The campaign for the internment of all or most refugees
from Nazi oppression starts from premises which are almost unbelievable illusions, and it may have consequences prejudicial to important British interests. The refugees have been persecuted so ruthlessly that no normal human being in their position could feel anything but the most intense hatred against Hitler. More- over, they know what they have to expect if Hitler should win, and that they have no hope to return to their country so long as he is not utterly defeated.
One of the dangers of this campaign is that it may deflect public attention from the real "fifth column" in this country. The idea that the refugees had anything to do with the doings of fifth columns in Norway and Hollakd is grotesque. One of the first decrees of the Nazi governor of Holland has been that all German and Austrian refugees in Holland are to be sent to con- centration camps pending deportation to the Polish ghetto, and that their property is to be confiscated. Every German in the past could enter those two countries without even a visa, while already before the war England refused admittance to refugees without the most careful examination of each case, and when a refugee arrived he had to undergo further investigation and was kept continually under close observation. It must also be con- sidered that many of the refugees formerly were influential leaders of public opinion and formed the most active element among the pro-English section in their countries. They have actually been driven out because Hitler regarded them as an obstacle to his plans directed against British interests.
' The argument that Nazi spies may be disguised as refugees should be examined in the cold light of reason instead- of in the
heat of panic. Of course it is possible that a few spies have used this disguise. Yet it is significant that, in spite of all rumours, not a single case has been publicly authenticated up to now, while every case of a refugee domestic who has inadvertently trespassed on a police regulation and been fined five shillings receives the widest publicity. Why, then, has the Press never been able to print any real evidence for the existence of Nazi spies masked as refugees? A little thought makes it clear that Nazi spies have much better disguises at their disposal than that of a refugee. There are numbers of British-born people who admire Hitler's views. It is significant that Sir Philip Game, Commis- sioner of Metropolitan Police, issued a statement, on April 16th, denying that the police were gravely concerned about the actual situation in regard to aliens and warning the public against un- founded rumours.
The dangers involved in the present stirring up of distrust against the victims of Hitler who have found refuge in this country are the following. Among the refugees there are thousands who are only too willing to place all their abilities and forces at the disposal of the authorities for the struggle against Hitler. Many possess great qualifications for this purpose. Yet no adequate use has hitherto been made of their offers. Only the Pioneer Corps is open to them, which is mainly used for unskilled work, such as the making of roads. Many of the refugee scientists, engineers and doctors have had the greatest difficulty in getting abroad, because the Nazis (as they quite openly admitted) were afraid that their qualifications would be useful to countries which might become enemies. Now they are in this country and all their offers are turned down. We are prepared to pay all the expenses of keeping them in a most injurious idleness. France does not follow this policy. The refugees were at first interned, but those willing to serve were released and allowed to act even as officers in the army. Under Nazi rule every Czech, Pole or Jew is forced to work for war purposes according to his qualifica- tions—though there cannot be any doubt that they hate the regime from their whole heart. In England the refugees have been treated in many ways with generosity and humanity, but the possibility of getting a labour permit has become ever more difficult, except for domestics. The stirring up of unfounded distrust will destroy the last hopes of vast numbers and undo a large part of the good work already done. The integration, more- over, of 70,000 people in the economic and social organism of this country after the war will be made impossible. They will become a permanent burden on private and public charity.—I am, Sir, &c., DOROTHY F. BUXTON.
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