Maltese internees (1940-1945) : postal history

Abstract

Of the many wounds the Second World War imprinted on the history of Malta, few can compare with the mean imprisonment and exile by the Imperial authorities of 41 British subjects. The colonial power, which had consistently striven to identify with the principles of the rule of law, experienced but little embarrassment in pulling down its mask, imprisoning the cream of the nationalist movement without charge or trial, and deporting its perceived leaders to Africa, in brazen defiance of its own laws. Trouble had been brewing for a long time. This century, and up to the Second World War, the pro-colonial party, led by Sir Gerald Strickland, had only once swung a popular majority, for a short interval between 1927 and 1930. Otherwise, the various wings of the nationalist movement had dominated the political scene. Constitutionally these aimed at the amplest form of self-government as a necessary prerequisite for the advance towards full dominion status. This disrupted the plans of empire and military strategy, in which the fortress of Malta represented a vital hub. Improving the political liberties of the Maltese, observed an English statesman, was like granting self- government to a battleship. [excerpt]