A JEWISH REGIMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16657, 29 September 1917, Page 2 (Supplement)

A JEWISH REGIMENT.

SHIELD OF DAVID AND LION OF JUDAH.

Records show that there are 40,000 Jews in tho British army at present, and of this number 32,000 are English Jews, the remaining 8000 are from the Empire abroad. There are 8000 Jews in the forces still in Britain, and these men should bo very useful in training and stiffening the newcomers. Russian Jews, who have been living in London, and who now have to decide whether they prefer to return to their own country, whether they will join the British ranks, or whether they prefer to enlist hers in the new Jewish brigade being formed. At a ruugh estimate there are 20,000 Jews of c- litary age in London and anoth»- ''~ uO scattered in the great provincial centres. The uganiser of the new regiment is Lieutenant-tjolonel Patterson, "''ho in Gallipoli ran tie famed Zion Mule Corps, an extraordinary unit of Russian Jews recruited in Alexandria after their escape from Palestine "Hone From Home." Lord Rot'-.'iiild and a number of influential E; -■' ■■''■ Jews are assisting Lieuten•'>t-'''.. l o'.-! ";. Hereon in every way possible to ; 'i his army on a sound and g-:n/.i' '.is i. jidation. '< . i..trap tor the regiment will be splendidly equipped. It will be a home trom home" "for the fighting Jew; a series of interesting lectures will be given to the recruits, there will be a kinema hall, where up-to-date films will be shown, a concerti hall, a library and recreation room, possibly a theatre, and a Jewish band. And, of course, special attention will be, devoted to boxing. There are no better, cleverer, or cleaner boxers in England today than the young Jews of the Last End. After serving for three months with the colours the Jewish soldier, if he wishes it, will become automatically naturalised, without expense to himself. The form • tion of nodical units enlisted from Jews, and of nosing units from the same source is being undertaken. The men will be subject to the same discipline iic the British soluier, will be given the samo pay, and will have all the privileges of pensions and allowances that are enjoyed by the rest of the army. They will, moreover, have their own butchers for killing "kosher" meat, and all their food will be prepared cooks of their own faith. Rabins will be appointed as chaplains. Tho hat will be of the slouch pattern, banded with azure blue, having a line of 1 white. The badge is to be the shield of David, two triangles of solid white metal, "with, the lion of Judab, in the- centra.