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JTA
EST 1917

Conditions Reported Improved in British Interment Camps

March 20, 1941
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
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Conditions in alien interment camps have now vastly improved, according to the leader of one of the biggest refugee organizations, quoted in The Daily Herald, who said the officials in charge of the camps are now “administering the new, humanized system admirably, and with the full cooperation of the internees.”

“Camps which were cause for complaint when they were under the War Office are now running smoothly under the Home Office,” said this informant. “This is partly due to the fact that the wholesale, indiscriminate interment of anti-Nazis is being remedied.

“Ceaseless inquiry has led to the systematic release of bona fide anti-Nazis. Many have been released on grounds of ill-health, but there is no suggestion that when they recover they will be reinterned. The attitude of the Home Office is Good health — and good luck!”

“Some of the camps have excellent playing-fields and a good deal of land has been taken over for the growing of vegetables and other produce. Cooks, orderlied and clerical staff have been recruited from among the internees. Excellent libraries are available and students and others are encouraged to continue their studies and to equip themselves for their careers. Recently the British Council has undertaken the supply of specialized text-books for this purpose.

“The morals of the internees is excellent now. This is mainly due to the announcement by the Under-Secretary of Home Affairs that no stigma attaches to internment, and to the visit of Sir Hebert Emerson, High Commissioner for Refugee.”

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