NATURALISED GERMANS.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2471, 26 May 1915, Page 5

NATURALISED GERMANS.

Sir, —The thanks of the general public aro due to Mr. Wilson for tho •inpleasant task he took' in . tand the other evening in . 'onnection with the question of 'enemy subjects" instructing our young men. It was suggested at tho time that naturalisation would overcome this difficulty, but as regarded from the German point of view these obligations are mere "scraps of waste paper." What protection would naturalisation afford to us? Letters of "naturalisation issued by Great Britain to aliens, we are told, are considered by the German authorities as no more binding on their subjects than we would regard the blowing out of a match. The British child-like credulity in believing in the potency of these obligations, and the Britishers''entire ignorance of "German kultured" human nature, is an source of amusement to the Teutonic race generally. There is no nation in the world more innately patriotic than are tho Germans. They taught from their infancy to love their Vatcrlaiid next to their God. Love, obedience, and devotion to their gods flow_ through their blood and are apparent in their every-day actions. All* loyal Germans regard the Kaiser as' their god—incarnate; _thoy worship him, take him as their pattern and guide and devote their lives to the furtherance of his wishes and commands. Such being the case, what is the value of any bond that these Teutons may sign if it is opposed to all their teachings and instincts? There are many Germans, however, in our midst who, for years past, have clearly and openly indicated by their words and actions that their hearts aro with us and with us only. Such men unquestionably we all recognise as good and loyal British subjects. On the other hand wo hear of Germans who until they found it dangerous to openly express their opinions, despite the fact that thoy had lived for many years in England and elsewhere as naturalised Britishers, periodically made no secret that in their inmost hearts they hated the English, and looked forward to the happy day when their nation would rule the world, and that England would be her slave. Are such men as these to be trusted? Certainly not. And such being the case, why should we expect that the ordinary Gorman should respcct his vow, more than the Kaiser his bond with the Belgian Nation? . No alien should be allowed to enjoy the privileges of a British subject until he has been in {lie colonies for at* least five years. And then before ho ■s permitted to become a naturalised Britisher, ho should be subjected to a strictly private ballot, not of personal connection relations, but of a selected number of persons who know him, and oould vouch for his sentiments. No on© cares to come forward at this stage and publicly bell-the-cat with tho result that there aro many amiablelookmg a 11 ens_ at large who have, or who would,_ sign anything fo advanco their own interests in life. And directlv after so doing, if necessity occurred (as has been proved) would consider themselves quite justified in breaking their oath of allegiance to the country of their adoption. They would wiilincjy risk their lives and liberty jii their desirp to- jserve their Kaiser,,

and their oountry. It is necessary, there, to be on the safe side, and to exclude all Germans from the Tights of naturalisation. There should bo no exceptions made.—l am, etc., ANTI-HUMBUG. [Mr. Massey has already announced that since the war commenced no Germans have been permitted to become naturalised.] MEMORIAL SERVICE. Sir, —Many who attended the service on Sunday in the hope of being ablo to hear the speeches were doomed to disappointment. The Territorials and bandsmen, with tho exception of a few others, were the only ones near enough to hear. The enclosure would have held many more, as the ones referred to were not crowded. Those of us present who have near relations at the Dardanelles were specially interested, and, owing to the meagre information received already, the service on Sunday may have applied to them as much as to those whose names have already been received as having fallen. In future perhaps the authorities arranging such affairs will have some consideration for the public who turn out in large numbers, and in the case of Sunday to put up • with the discomfort of rain, wind, and damp grass. A favoured few were admitted to seats near the speakers, and I would suggest that in future those specially interested should also be included. About a dozen bandsmen, who might have been listening to the speeches, seemed to prefer talking among thomselves, and gave one the impression that they did not realise what a memorial service really meant.—l am etc. ONE WHO WAS INTERESTED. BUT WHO COULD NOT HEAR, ITALY'S HOUR r-F DESTINY. Sir, —The news of the declaration of war by Italy against Austria has not come upon us unexpectedly. Indeed, for some months past we have been convinced that Ital.v must stir herself into action. We Italians of Wellington, members of ihe Garibaldi Club (a name sacred to our compatriots), on the initiation of this effort which is to bring Italy a- glorious future, feel it is our duty to assure the people of those countries who were our first friends and who are now our Allies, that with great enthusiasm we have heard struck the hour which is to revenge Custozza and liissa, and to repay t'he humiliations received from "our beloved ally" Austria. We Italians never forget a good turn received, likewise we cannot forget a bad one. We have not forgotten that at the bombardment of Prevesa, when we were at war with Turkey, Austria threatened us, and also we have not forgotten the decrees of a former governor of Trieste, Prince Hohenlohe, and ■we are unanimous in predicting that at the proximate anniversary of the Proclamation of the Constitution of United Italy, the great number, if not all, of our brethren in Italia Irredenta will participate in the rejoicings held on that day memorable to all Italians. Should it ho our misfortune to hear of a reverse to our arms we will receive it with calm, because we are sure of final victory for our Allies and ourselves. Tho Austrian Press accuses us of wishing to steal, hut it is Austria and Germany who wish to steal, first Belgium and then Servia. : No, we do not go to steal, we 6imply go to recover that which politically and aeograpliically belongs to us. and to liberate our long-suffering brothers groaning under Austrian tyranny. Avanti Savoia! Evviva il re! Evviva I'ltalia! Evviva gli Alleati!—l am, etc., TJ. BASSO. Secretary, Club Garibaldi.