ANXIOUS TO SERVE

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20921, 28 September 1939, Page 12

ANXIOUS TO SERVE

ALIEN REFU GEES AN INTERNATIONAL BRIGADE (Times Air Mail Service) LONDON, August 30 Within the past 48 hours hundreds of German and Austrian refugees have asked to be allowed to help Britain if war comes, reports the Evening Standard. While no Government action has yet been taken, some of them have already assisted in various ways, and others have been registered as future helpers if required. An official of the German-Jewish Aid Committee told me today that they had been compiling names ever since 1933. He said: “ Last September we had a big rush of applicants. Then the stream sank to a trickle again, but in the last two or three days there has been a terrific rush. Not Enemies “ They are practically all German and Austrian Jews, and we recognise that, as the Evening Standard has pointed out. they are technically German subjects and liable to internment if war breaks out. “We appreciate that before they could be allowed to do anything in war time the consent of the Government would be required. But they are a fine body of men and women, and in no sense enemies of this country. “We are, therefore, registering

them and sorting them out into various categories according to sex, age and capabilities. Our register is at any time available to the Government should they require it. “ To show that we are in earnest we received a call today from an organisation which wanted help in filling sandbags. Thirty of our people are now at work on that task.” “ Our New Homeland ” Mr M. R. Irming, of the German Freedom League, has sent an open letter to the members of the Government and all peers and M.’sP. suggesting the formation of an International Democratic Brigade to undertake service with the military or in the labour' or auxiliary forces. He writes;

“ At this moment of anxiety and emergency we refugees, living in this new homeland of ours, feel it essential to do everything in our power to assist in the defence of freedom and justice. “ There is in every refugee a deep gratitude toward the British people, who have given real practical assistance and support in many cases of hardship. “ We therefore ask Parliament to consider granting permission to organise an International Democratic Brigade. “ The enormous value of such a force, under the British High Command, is obvious, and there is not only eagerness and enthusiasm for it, but certain action at the moment of consent.”