THE PAROLE OF A GERMAN

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2559, 6 September 1915, Page 6

THE PAROLE OF A GERMAN

HOW IT WAS HONOURED IN NEW GUINEA STRANGE PICNICS By Telegraph—Press A66ooiatlon-Cojyriglit (Rec. September 5, 3.20 p.fn). , ' Sydney,. September 5. Following the recent arrest of a number of Gernnns at Babaul, a statement has been made public as follows "Since the Australian troops occupied the group the prisoners were allowed to go about on parole, and permitted' io hold , social gatherings. At: first the. parole conditions were observed, but during the past few months some of the prisoners on - tho German -reserve list took this chance of promoting picnics, which,'instead of being simple picnics, allegedly became meetings for the: announcement of war. news. -These picnics usually followed the arrival'of the mail, and tho: news of the doings of the German armies was read aloud, amid great demonstrations. _ Aii inquiry led to tlie stoppage of tho picnics, and a'search followed, not only in .the llabaul district, but in the "out" : lying islands,' with tho -result that quantities of ammunition were found buried, m perfect indicating' th'Rt .they had been- buried before the war, but had since been overhauled to prevent, damage'by dampness: ■' ■ : "Tlie arrest of a- nhmber of Germans followed 1 , on charges of having' firearms in their possession. Every prisoner on the captured islands tad previously been j ordered to deliver: all firearms.'' -~! Besides hidden stores of ammunition, a considerable .quantity of .other' arms was seized.' There is evidence • that. the raid has nipped .in tlio bud the Germans' hopes, of seizing; a favourablo opportunity . for a'- rising, which included a plan for. securing the support of the natives. The raid: was carried out 'quietly -and effectively, and the, alleged plotters in safe-keeping before tho bulk of ; tho civil population aware of .what was happening.