Following last week’s round-up of foreigners in Marseille, the Police Prefecture today issued a communique stating that “a certain number of foreigners” have been enrolled in labor battalions under the law authorizing compulsory enlistment of foreigners who are considered superfluous to the national economy.
The enlistment will continue, the communique states, advising foreigners who are liable for labor service to have hand luggage ready.
The communique apparently is aimed at dispelling the painful impression created in both French and foreign circles by the “peculiar” methods of enrollment, which resulted in a hunt for foreigners not having consular protection and created panic among the refugee population.
Those enrolled will be used for agricultural work, paid at the rate of 1 franc 75 centimes per hour, with free meals, shelter and clothing, and working seven hours daily. They are permitted leave of absence. Needy families may obtain doles.
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