NO GERMANS WANTED

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 75, 22 December 1919, Page 6

NO GERMANS WANTED

INCIDENT AT SUVA FIRM STAND BY SOLDIERS

"Remember the T/usitftnia, Louvain, and Mons." "No square-heads wanted." These and other signs figured 011 the walls of the sheds 011 the new wharf, Suva, on Sunday, when the steamer A'tua drew alongside tho wharf where 40 or 50 returned soldiers and many residents were gathered, writes the Suva correspondent. of the "New Zonlnnd Herald," under date Decemlwr It.

The Atua brought, live Germans who had been interned in Australia. They nil have properly in Fiji, whero tliev resided before tli<: war. They had been deported as undesirables, although all were naturalised.

There was 110 misjudging the temper of the e.rowd. No German should be allowed to land. TV other passengers •■umo ashore. The Germans, who had kept on the seaward side of the ship up to this point, now appeared near the gangway. "I'll shont the first of you *ho sets foot on the wharf!" was a throaty threat. A big sling of lugjago vvvung on to tho wharf. Four package* bore, German names. Then in somo mysterious fashion tlireo of the packages, including one steel trunk, were sinking fn the waters of the harbour. This incident was greeted with cheers.

"'Hand back that other trunk and they w.cn't come ashore," came from the deck, and the'trunk vivs allowed to b# taken 011 board, The E.S. and S.A, president went on board and advised the Germans not to land or 110 could not rostrain his men. They took the advice and stayod. Later they were taken lo tho quarantine island, Nukulau, by munch. There they remain for the T.iesent.

Six moro Germans, including two wives, arrived yesterday by the steamer Levuka, ond after much persuasion also went to Nukulau.

' On Monday Hk Excellency the Goternor met some SS returned men at their clubroonis, Tlis Excellency pointed cut that by law the men had a right to land, and ho had specific instructions to that effect from the Secretary of State Tho soldiers would have none of it. The Governor promised to oonsider the matter. and promised no step 3 would bo taken until he met a deputation of tho soldier* and one of the citizens.

Public feeling is unanimous thai no alien must land. Levuka is even mora determined, so is Lantoka. The largest public meeting held in Suva met last niuilit to express public opinion as to whether naturalised or any other kind of enemy alien should 1m admitted into Fiji, eavs the correspondent when writing on December 13. Tho Mayor (Hon. SI. Scntt, K.C.) presided, ancl tho.re w»rc accredited representatives piesent from Levuka. Uewa, Lautoka, and other centres. ,The audience included many returned soldiers and sailors, and was wildly enthusiastic.

The Hon. Ilenr.v Macks, C.8.E., proposed"That this meeting of citizens of Suva, at which representatives of Levuka and other centres are present, is unanirrcus in its determination to exclude from the colony all former alien enemies, and respectfully asks that His Excellency the Governor take immediate steps to communicate to all such persons that their return to this colony is strongly resented bv the people, and should they attempt to do 60, their safety may be imperilled." A great sea of hands carried the motion.

This morning a deputation will lay the motion before the Governor.

Tt is said the interned Germans are all anxious to leave at once.