Approximately 1,800 Jewish refugees are now interned in Italian concentration camps, while about 1,400 other — nearly all women and children–are still at liberty, principally in the cities of Milan and Rome.
The largest group of those interned, numbering about 1,000, are concentrated in barracks near the village of Comenza, in Southern Italy. Although the accommodation is improvised and heating and toilet facilities are lacking, conditions are described as being reasonably comfortable, and the internees enjoy a fair amount of liberty, although under close supervision. Sport is encouraged, and there have been occasions when "all-star" teams from among the refugees have met–and usually beaten–local village football teams.
Their greatest need has been for clothing, particularly warm clothing for the winter months. This need has been satisfied to some extent by the Jewish Committee in Milan. In that city there were some 800 women and children refugees at liberty, nome of whom was permitted to engage in any occupation, due to the restrictions against foreigners. In order to make use of this potentially productive body, the Committee borrowed a number of sewing machines, and solicited from Jewish manufacturers gifts of woolen and cotton cloth. Many of the refugee women are now busily engaged in turning out suits, overcoats, shorts, socks and underclothing for the men in internment, who are thus able to cope better with the rigours of camp life.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
