As a follow up to this, two letters.
Letter 1, by Dott. Victor Ragonesi, Secretary General of the PN at the time of Malta's independence negotiations (1960s) and personal secretary of Dott. Giorgio Borg Olivier (party leader), a man of staunch nationalist faith:
The internees (1)
Victor E. Ragonesi, Sliema.
What a pleasure and how refreshing to read what Tonio Borg told Parliament recently when he commemorated the vicissitudes of those Nationalists, professionals and workers, who where interned by the British colonial power, and then exiled to Uganda, when Italy entered World War II in June, 1940.
The salient points in Dr Borg's speech - reminding present and future generations of what happened - were:
• the undemocratic manner used by the so-called "mother of democracy";
• the fearless behaviour of the Maltese involved;
• the indomitable courage and ability of Sir Ugo Mifsud;
• the unblemished reputation of our Judiciary.
The British Colonial power disregarded all legal procedures and provisions applicable both in the UK and in Malta, and acted as dictators do.
The Maltese involved never wavered in their Nationalist beliefs, made of steel.
The speech delivered in the Council of Govemment by Sir Ugo was a masterpiece of facts and legal maxims, which caused his death. During his speech, two members of the Constitutional Party started insulting him with gestures and words. He referred to their nonsensical and despicable behaviour. They persisted. He suffered a heart attack, fell to the ground, was rushed to his residence, where he died after two days at the age of 52.
The Nationalist Party suffered the worst tragedy in its long history, provoked by politicians who put British interests before those of the Maltese. The judgment about the legality of the Maltese being deported to Uganda was delivered when they were already on a ship at sea. Judge Anthony Montanaro Gauci harboured Constitutional Party sentiments. He had the right to do so. Even so, he gave a judgment "without fear or favour" - evidence of the complete independence of our judiciary.
Of course, we should erect a monument to those Maltese subjected to hardships and injustices, which some of the present generation may find difficult to believe.
Happily enough, we have a monument commemorating Sir Ugo - it stands in the Mall, Floriana. It was erected by John Colombos, a Maltese of many substantial means, entirely at his expense. After graduating, he proceeded to Paris and London, where he settled, becoming a renowned counsel.
Dr Colombos, before World War II, published a book on the interpretation and application of legal norms and procedures relating to maritime matters. The book was adopted by the British Admiralty and became its official reference in maritime law.
It was translated into many languages, including Russian. During his frequent visits to Malta, before and after we achieved independence, once I dared to suggest to Dr Colombos to seek copyrights from the Soviet Union. His reply was: "I am not a fool! They would abduct me and send me to Siberia". He was also a staunch Nationalist.
Letter 2:
The Times & The Sunday Times, Malta
The internees (2)
John G. Micallef, Sliema.
Certainly the internment of the 43 Maltese citizens who were exiled to Uganda in 1942 during the war was a blot in Maltese history as Justice Minister Tonio Borg said. But I wish to clarify a fact and add something to what he said for the sake of correctness and historical facts.
The Breconshire, which carried the internees to Uganda, was not a merchant ship as reported but a ship belonging to the Royal Navy, manned by naval crew and known as H.M.S. Breconshire. What I wanted to add is the fact that, on the way to Uganda, the ship was caught in the midst of a naval battle. It is understood that, while the internees were herded into the hold, a naval officer spoke to them and, at pistol point, warned them that if the ship was hit and sunk there would be no boats for them and anybody trying to reach a lifeboat would be shot.
It is also understood that a member of the crew who was on duty on the bridge saw a torpedo heading straight on to the ship and informed the captain who, in turn, quickly ordered a sharp turn, which without doubt saved the ship from an eventual explosion if the torpedo hit. At that very moment, it is said, a Mass was being celebrated by Mgr Pantalleresco who was one on the internees.
Of course, nobody knew what was going on at that moment and afterwards, but this was considered as a miracle. As far as I know, all the ex-internees are now dead, so there is no confirmation of this except what has already been written and perhaps heard or known by some of the relatives of the internees themselves.
This episode is part of Maltese history of the darkest period of the war in 1942 and should not be forgotten, although 65 years have passed. So the erection of a monument to those who have suffered, with all the names of all the internees and a brief story, will not be out of place as the minister suggested. Let's hope that this will be erected in a prominent place in the not too distant future.