Exterminators Of Jews Will Not Escape Penalty

Northern Advocate, 18 December 1942, Page 3

Exterminators Of Jews Will Not Escape Penalty

(8.0. W., 1 p.m.) RUGBY, Dec. 17,

Mr. Eden told the House of Commons with regret that reliable reports had recently reached the Government in regard to the barbarous, inhuman treatment to which Jews were being subjected in German-occupied Europe. They had. in particular, received a note from the Polish Government which was also communicated to other United Nations and received wide publicity. The Government had. as a result, been in consultation with the United States and Soviet Governments and other Allied Governments directly concerned. Mr. Eden communicated to the House the following declaration which was also made public today at Moscow and Washington:

"The attention of the Governments of Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Greece. Luxemburg, the Netherlands. Norway. Poland. United States. Britain. Northern Ireland, U.S.S.R.. Yugoslavia and {the French National Committee has been drawn to numerous reports from Europe that the German authorities, not content with denying to persons of Jewish race in all territories over which their barbarous rule has been extended the most elementary human rights, are now carrying into effect Hitler's oft-repeated intention to exterminate the Jewish people in Europe. Disappear for Ever "From all occupied countries Jews are being transported in conditions of appalling horror and brutality to Eastern Europe. In Poland, which has been made the principal Nazi slaughterhouse, ghettos established by our German invaders are being systematically emp’ied of all Jews except a few highly skilled workers required for war industries. None of those taken away are ever heard of again. The able-bodied are slowly worked to death in labour camps and the infirm are left to die of exposure or starvation or are deliberately massacred in mass executions. “The number of victims of these bloody cruelties is reckoned in many hundreds of "thousands of entirely innocent men, women and children.

"The above-mentioned governments and the French National Committee condemn in the strongest possible terms this bestial policy of coldblooded extermination. They declare that such events can only strengthen the resolve of all freedom-loving people 1o overthrow the barbarous Hitlerite tyranny. They reaffirm their solemn resolve to ensure that those responsible for these crimes shall not escape retribution and to press on with the necessary practical measures to this end."

Ringleaders, Perpetrators

Questioned in the House of Commons about the declaration he had read to the House concerning German treatment of Jews, Mr. Eden said that it was certainly intended that all persons who could be properly held responsible for crimes, whether perpetrators or ring-leaders, should alike be brought to book. Mr. Eden said there were immense difficulties in the way of immediate relief, but the Government was doing all possible to alleviate the horrors.

He would be glad to explore the possibilities of the migration of Jews to Sweden, but the difficulties involved would be understood. Arrangements had already been made for making the declaration as widely known as possible, including broadcasting throughout Europe, especially in Germany.

Not War, Murder

The people of Germany would be told that this was not war but murder. and they must be held in some measure responsible if they allowed the German Government to carry out its horrible intention.

Mr. Eden agreed to consider the advisability of not limiting the broadcasts to a question of punishment, but to expression of appreciation for acts of courage done all over Europe by persons who took enormous risks to render what help they could to their fellow Jewish citizens.

Mr. Eden said that persons who escaped from Occupied Territories would be welcomed and given every assistance in the territories of the United Nations, though certain security formalities would have to be considered in providing such asylum.

After discussion the House rose and stood in silence for a minute as a protest against “this disgusting barbarism.”