The Manchester Guardian declared editorially today that refugees were anxious to do all they could to help Britain in the event of war and many were eager to fight, and it would be ridiculous to confine them in the coming war as was done to refugees in 1914. Close examination of refugees and their qualifications would result in benefiting England and ridding the refugees of their fear of being treated as useless burdens, the paper said. “They, after all, are the first victims of the tyranny we may be called upon to resist,” it added.
The Jewish Chronicle declares that the Jews in England will take their share, to the fullest extent, in all aspects of active defense should war break out.
“Whatever the outcome of these anxious days,” the journal states, “and much as Jews of all people must pray that the ultimate calamity may yet be avoided — indeed, the ghastly plight of our brethren in Eastern Europe, should a conflagration arise, would be hard to exaggerate–yet the complete identification of Jews throughout the world with the forces of civilisation led by Britain and France in any struggle against those of barbarism is as absolute as it is obvious.
“Just as Jews in this country will take their share to the fullest extent, in all aspects of active defense, so too will those of them incapable of this kind of service contribute to the national strength by a strict and enthusiastic observance of duty. The primary duty is calm and cheerful cooperation, each in his own function, in the nation’s work. This means steadily bearing in mind consideration for the national interests which are paramount, consideration for those upon whom abnormal conditions may throw heavy and difficult burdens, and willing cooperation in every effort which circumstances may cause to be required. The war of nerves would not be ended by the precipitation of calamity; it would only then begin. With determination, coolly, cheerfully, to do their duty, Jews will, whatever the outcome of these critical days, remember the great tradition of patriotism which their coreligionists in this country established some twenty-five years ago. And their unswerving loyalty as members of a British nation united in determination and faith will not unworthily support the honour of Britain and Israel.”
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
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.
