ALIEN REFUGEES.

Evening Star, Issue 23816, 21 February 1941, Page 9

ALIEN REFUGEES.

TO THE EDITOIt. Sir,—At first sight “ Enzeddcr ” presents a devastating criticism of my opinions, bus his summing up is badly mixed. I do not personally know one solitary alien refugee. All I am concerned with is the wisdom or otherwise of indiscriminately interning all these people, irrespective of where their sympathies aro. Secondly, why blame the refugees for taking positions vacated by men now overseas? Surely that is the sole responsibility of the employing authority. Thirdly, I don’t think Hitler is a madman iu the accepted sense of the. term, but a cunning, calculating, ruthless, ambitious human being who cannot escape the ethical responsibility for plunging humanity into this devilish war, lot alone for the methods ha uses. Lastly, as for the Marquis of Qucensberry rules and Democracy, ns outlined bv me having died when Winston Churchill took charge, I have yet to hear of that gentleman having given orders for indiscriminate internment, bombing, or submarining of innocent and guilty alike. In my opinion, at least as far aa this war is concerned, he is still the hope of Democracy in so far as he practises the ethical responsibilities towards all peoples within the framework of the British Empire, irrespective of nationality, these same responsibilities being imposed on him by the fundamental planks of that great safeguard of most human liberties, the British Constitution. 1 certainly agree to the internment of all refugees who aro in favour of Germany winning the war, but “ Enzedder ” must not forget that under our democratic Constitution they enjoy both liberty and protection until proved guilty.— 1 am, etc., A. Caldwell. February 20. fOur correspondent is not quite correct. Aliens are liable to be interned, reasonably and inevitably, when a primn facie case seems to be made out against (hem, nroof not being necessarily required.—Ed. E.S.]