An official of Canada House, replying to charges by the Agudath Israel of discrimination against orthodox Jews in Canadian internment camps, said today that efforts were being made to solve the Sabbath-observance problem and urged “restraint” to avoid “exacerbating a situation containing potentialities of ill feeling.”
It is one of the tragedies of war that in Canada, which has been completely free of any taint of anti-Semitism or racial discrimination, anti-Semitic feeling should have, to some extent, been encouraged by exacerbation of the thorny question of treatment of orthodox Jewish refugees,” the official said. He emphasized that the major problem of internees was outside the Canadian Government’s control.
“When the transfer of large numbers of refugees to the Dominion was arranged. one would expect prisoners of war and dangerous characters,” he said. “Arrangements were made accordingly. Internment camps were established which would be conducted under military discipline.
“We did not have resorts like the Isle of Man where harmless refugees could live and we had no reason to expect the arrival of such persons. Nor could we assume that many of the men sent to us for internment would be within a comparatively short time, eligible for release. Thus arose another problem–it is clearly impracticable to erect, at the expense of the British taxpayer, permanent buildings because of man who might be released at any time.
“In addition, a minor problem arose in connection with the treatment of orthodox internees. In quasi-military camps it is clear that the inmates are responsible for maintenance and a certain number of camp fatigues are necessary. When the orthodox demanded a holiday on Saturdays, the Christians naturally demanded Sundays. This led to an impossible situation. It must be admitted the orthodox have not shown the willingness to compromise which might be expected.
“In addition to a Home Office representative, Alexander Paterson, the Central Department for Interred Refugees has also sent a representative to Canada. The Central Department, of which Carey Wilson is chairman, has been given official recognition by the Canadian Government.
“I am sure there is a sincere desire to solve the problems. In the meantime, it is wisest to exercise restraint in order to avoid exacerbating a situation containing potentialities of ill-feeling.
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.
