THE MUCH-TRAVELLED DEPORTEE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 265, 5 August 1919, Page 7

THE MUCH-TRAVELLED DEPORTEE

* . INTERNED AS GERMAN. Last night (says the Sydney "Sun" 'if Juiy 18) Paul Ureeiuaii was interned in the concentration camp at iloldsworthy us a German. Freeman's case will bo well remembered. Deported in the lirst instance to America by the Common wealth Government, ho was refused a landing from tho Sonoma by the United States authorities. He came hack to Australia, went to the United States again, and again 'came back to Sydney on the samo vessel. On the last occasion on which he was in Sydney ho commenced, or was reported to have commenced, a hunger strike as a protest against his appurcutly interminable detention on the boat, and it was mainly duo to tho efforts of the Sonoma's doctor that he was landed in what was said to bo a dying condition. This assertion, however, was stoutly denied by the medicall officers in whose care ho was placed at. tho Garrison Hospital, Victoria- Barracks. At any rate, Freeman made a rapid recovery, and for six weeks lie has been in that institution, held there at tho direction of the Defence Department, although from the health poiut of view there was nothing tho matter with him. An agitation was commenced to secure his release on the ground that ho was being detained when 110 charge had been proved against him. In answer to appeals, the Defence Department, said lie would be held until word was received from tho United States authorities as to their reason for refusing him a landing when he was first deported. The nature of that reply has not been divulged to the Australian public, but acting under instructions from Melbaurno last night Freeman was taken from the Garrison Hospital to the concentration camp at Holdsworthy in a motor-car, by a guard from tho camp. An Official Statement. An official communication to the Press from V ictoria - Barracks was issued »s follows :— Under instructions of the Department of Defence, Paul Freeman was yesterday evoning interned ns a (Jerman at the concentration camp, and his case is to come before the Aliens 'board for decision This board is made up of four magistrates, any one of theni constituting a board. An internee may appeal on tho ground that he is improperly detained, and the obligation is on him to prove that this is so. Gentians who hold the view that'they 1 should not be repatriated to Germany have also tho right to appeal to this board with tho view of showing that they are desirable Australian citizens. Although the journey to the camp occupied two and a half hours, Freeman was reticent, and made no remarks at all concerning his nationality. This was regarded as surprising, ns on all occasions proviously, especially in tho hospital, ho was always ready to discuss his case with anyone who was prepared to listen to him.