AN INTERNED PRIEST

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 210, 31 May 1920, Page 5

AN INTERNED PRIEST

PROTEST AGAINST DEPORTATION COUNTER-DEMONSTRATION BY SOLDIERS By TcleeraDli-Press Association--Copyright (Rec. May 31, 1.35 a.m.) Sydney, May 30. During tho war Father Jergcr, a Roman Catholic priest, was placed in the German internment camp. Beyond the fact of his being of German nationality other reasons, if any existed, wero not disclosed. Tho Roman Catholic Church authorities at the time made an ineffective protest against tho internment of the priest. The fixing of Father Jergor's deportation for a dato early in Juno has revived tho case and led to strong protests from Catholic societies ami representations to the Federal authorities not to carry tho deportation into effect. Among others the Lord Mayor (Mr. Fitzgerald) has taken a prominent part in 'ho movement. A deputation sent to Melbourne interviewed Mr. Hughes to urge non-deportation before Father Jergcr was given an open trial, and in support of this a demonstration was arranged for to-day in Meore Park. The agitation has led to much heartburning and Press correspondenco against easing of tho treatment against Germans or allowing tho religious aspect to interfere in tho case. This led to the Returned Soldiers' and Sailors' Association organising a counter-demon-stration in the Park with a view to impressing on the Federal Government tho necessity of not relaxing tho regulations for the deporialion of Germans or pevir.itting anything savouring of disloyalty. The meetings were attended by 150.000 people, tho speakers against deportation including Mr. Rvnn, the Lord Mayor, and. tho Attorney-General. After carrying a resolution in favour of deportation the soldiers counted tho other mcet-

ing out and then rushed tile platform, wiving a Union Jack, and rolled the speakers off. They in turn were attacked, the proceedings at one time verging 011 a serious riot.—Press Assn.