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Round-up of Aliens in Britain Completed; Refugee Cases May Be Reviewed

May 15, 1940
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The roundup of German and Austrian male aliens in the coastal districts has been completed, it was learned today. During the raids houses were searched for incriminating documents, disguises, weapons, radio sets and other means of communication. The result of these searches has been kept secret.

It is considered likely here that as soon as conditions necessitating the roundup have changed, special machinery will be established to review each case and to restore to liberty those persons satisfying the authorities that they can be released without prejudice to national security.

The great majority of the interned are refugees, of whom a large number are Jews. The press points out the hardships imposed upon refugees, the Manchester Guardian expressing the opinion that the “unfortunate refugees who suffer this inconvenience will recognize its necessity during the crisis.”

The Times asserts that the measures constitute protection for the refugees who, if Hitler attempted an invasion of England, would be certainly exposed to the suspicion of the British public.

The News Chronicle declares that the harmful activities of an unknown few can be checked only by restraint over all. “Such a circumstance as internment,” it said, “must not be regarded as a penalty, but as a sacrifice which friendly Germans and Austrians must make to victory.”

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