The principal charges of orthodox Jewish internees in Canada have been fully substantiated by a statement of Col. Stethem, director of internment operations in Ottawa, orthodox quarters here said today.
(Last January the Agudath Israel in London charge discrimination against Sabbath-observing Jewish internees in Canada, which stated they were subjected to various penalties for declining to work on Saturday. The United Jewish Refugee and War Relief Agencies in Montreal said an investigation had shown the charges to be unfounded.)
Col. Stethem said observance of the Jewish Sabbath had been authorized by the Ottawa authorities, although “it would have been in order to have stated that internees shall be subject to the laws in force for the armed forces of a detaining power,” but admitted that paid forestry work outside the compound and training in workshops were not available for orthodox internees and also that refusal to do compulsory labor might be punished.
Prejudicial treatment regarding possible settlement in Canada and in emigration facilities was also admitted. “Camp spokesman were instructed to point out that their attitude must necessarily affect them so far as their being considered desirable citizens of Canada is concerned,” Col. Stethem said.
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