Internment Palliatives
Letters continue to reach us from many parts of the country showing how general is the concern about the policy and methods adopted by the Government in the treatment of enemy aliens. Sir John Anderson last week refused to make any radical change in the policy of internment, and promised little more than further examination of cases and the release of those falling within certain specified descriptions—for example, persons capable of rendering services of special value for the conduct of the war. Nothing has yet been said or done to show that the Home Secretary is in the least alive to the great indignation aroused by the harsh and shortsighted treatment of refugees known to be friendly to this country and antagonistic to Ger- many, and by the adoption of methods which are causing resent- ment in America and arming the enemy with good propaganda' What is wanted is a clearer and more generous statement of the principles to be adopted, followed by humane and enlightened treatment of those aliens whom it will still be necessary -to keeP der detention. There will be general agreement about the dom of interning aliens of the A and B categories. So far the C category is concerned, the policy of general intern- ent should be abandoned, and for it substituted a policy of terning only those about whose bona fades there may be a real lement of doubt. It will be said that this involves risks. That ay be so, but not so great as those arising from the harm done o our cause by the alienation of friends and supporters, and the owing of despair among those who have looked to this country as the sole hope for the restoration of justice in Europe. A eat disservice is being done to the British cause by obstinate persistence in the shortsighted view of national security.
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