JEWISH REFUGEES

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 59, 11 March 1939, Page 14

JEWISH REFUGEES

SEGREGATED ON GERMAN

SHIP

Ten Jewish refugees from Germany who arrived in Sydney last week in the German freighter Mosel, from Bremen and Antwerp, were not permitted to mix with "Aryan" passengers on the long voyage to Australia. Placards were pinned to the walls in the passageways and other parts of the ship, stating that certain rooms were not for "Aryans," and others were not for Jews, states the "Sydney Morning Herald." When the Mosel left Germany early in January, the persecution of Jews was intense. Some of the Jewish passengers were escorted from concentration camps straight to the ship.

"The voyage was far from pleasant," stated one young Jewess. She added that if her name was mentioned in the newspaper her relatives might be persecuted. "I will tell you what happened if you promise not to mention my name," she said. "When we boarded the Mosel at Bremen were were amazed to,find notices informing us that certain parts of the ship were reserved for Aryans and some for us. "We -rere not allowed to mix with other passengers or with the crew. We had all our meals together. Certain parts of the deck were reserved for us. After 10 o'clock at night we had to be in our cabins, because we could not visit any part of the ship.

"Some members of the crew were kind to us; others sneered at us. There was no difference in meals. We had the same food as the Aryans. We paid our passage, just as others did.

"But we had the feeling that we were outcasts. There were so many restrictions during the voyage that it was far from enjoyable. I am pleased that we arc in Sydney. There are no notices here."

Ship's officers said that they did not wish to discuss the matter.

"We do not discuss political matters," stated one.officer. x"The passengers of Jewish extraction had their meals separately simply because there was not room for all in the usual dining saloon."

In the large dining-room in the Mosel, there is seating accommodation for at least twenty people. The number of passengers carried did not exceed fourteen. The Jewish passengers had their meals in a smaller room, next to the dining-room. Over the door of this room was. pinned a notice stating: "Not for Aryans."

The same restrictions were placed on the limited deck space of the Mosel.