LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2876, 14 September 1916, Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

JEWS AND THE WAR

Sir,—lt is not often that Jewish affairs are discussed in the local Press; I therefore hope you will grant me space to comment on the cable message which appeared in Monday's issue, and stated that thousands of shirkers were still at large, and that the police aro to raid all places of, amusement and districts throughout the country, particularly in the Jewish colonies. There is mo doubt that this cablegram nrust have caused much comment on the Jews. But one.must not bo harsli and judge unless well qualified to do so. Under the voluntary system in England many thousands of Britishborn Jews have enlisted. Lord Derby, in writing ,to the London "Times" at the boginniug of last December, stated that no fewer than nineteen thousand Jewish recruits had enlisted under his scheme. This was highly satisfactory to the military authorities, butib-day the number is even greater, as many of them had enlisted before the Compulsion Bill came into force. There aro some four thousand fighting with the Canadians and quite a number are lighting with the South Africans, while yet a number have left with the Australian and New Zealand Forces. It maybe interesting to rioto that a purely Jewish unit, composed of Jews from Jerusalem, were fighting at the Dardanelles under General Sir lan Hamilton, of which special mention • was made in a report at tho end of last year.

No fewer than three Jews have won the' Victoria Cross, whilo a large number have received the Distinguished Service Medal. Who are, then, the Jewish shirkers? There are about ten thousand Russian Jews of military age "in England to-day. These men have emigrated from Russia on account of political and social persecutions. Somo of them settle in England for good, while others only make it their temporary homo. A Bill has lately been passed 'in England compelling ■ thesemen to join the Army, or they would be deported to Russia. The majority of these Jews, it niust bo borno in mind, are not British'subjects, and ' cannot speak the-English language, as some of them have only been in England a few years. Some three thousand Jews have gone to England through Belgium since tho war began. It would not do to onlist ahd 6pread these men amongst the various battalions. But a special Jewish unit would be tho very thing; that would get' over the language difficulty. But'first and foremost British citizenship should be given- to these : men, as soon as they outer the Army, the same pay, same pensions, and same prospects as offered to all other men. But tho grievance these men have is that they are threatened with deportation to Russia. It is impossible to think that a Jew could return to Russia after he has inhaled an atom of freedom. There are to-day, as it is, nearly half a million Jewe fighting with Russia; what arc the prospects for. tho Jews in the future? In the beginning of tho present war -Russia promised emancipation of the Jews; but, can wo trust lier? Wo have too much cause to remember that the same pledge has been given before in a crisis, and its fulfilment been allowed to lapse. Yet in tho"face of all past persecutions nearly half a million Jews are fighting with the Russians. But is'it a wonder why a Jew refuses to return to Russia? It may bo asked, then, why does he not join the British Army? The foreign Jews in the East End of London or other cities are quite a different cjass to the British-born Jews. Their peculiarities, customs, and habits are quite-distinct;. they' cannot understand whya man, after living in a country for two or three years, should bo mado to fight. But I am certain that if naturalisation is offered, the same pay, and fair treatment as all other men, tho British Government will have no difficulty with the foreign Jews of England. Yet a better'remedy still would have been, if Britain and France (the first two countries to fight for freedom) had offered a territory to the-Jews on an autonomous basis. -Then I am sure that many thousands of Jews from all over the world would havo rallied round the British flag; for then they would know they would have something to fight for. A territory would give the Jew a home, and would put an end to the many centuries of wandering. But still, I" leave it to the good and democratic judgment of Britain.---I am, etc., L. MOSS.