AN ALLEGED DESERTER

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 214, 4 June 1920, Page 6

AN ALLEGED DESERTER

NOT ALLOWED TO LAND ANYWHERE. Sydney, June 3. An extraordinary story is related by Reg. Harkins, who is on tho Makura in practically the same circumstances as in the Paul Freeman case.' Harkins explains that he was arrested in Canada as a deserter early in the year, and placed on the Niagara. He escaped at Honolulu. but was rearrested, and placed on the Makura. He was not allowed to land in Canada or Australia, and is now compelled to criss-cross tho Pacific indefinitely. Harkins contends that it is n caso of mistaken identity, and says that another Harkins is the real deserter, which view is shared by tho chief engineer and other officers'of the vessel: Harkins is a native of Nebraska, but possesses an alien registration certificate — Press Assn.-

I Paul Freeman, who was forbidden to land either in Australia or America made four trips across the Pacific. In January, 191!), he was ordered to bo denor/od from Australia, and was placed on board the steamer Sonoma; but on arrival at San-Francisco , he was prevented from landing, as he could not Drove,ho was an American citizen. Back be went to Australia, but ho had to return in the stenmor, and again America would not have him. , He returned in the steamer to Sydney, and commenced a hunger-strike. Thero was a great public outcry, and eventually Freeman was landed and placed in gaol. After much agitation for his release, tho Federal Government, in Octob«r 'Inst, sent tho man back to Germany. Freeman, who was an organiser for the 1.W.W., was considered bv the authorities a disloyal nnd dangerous man.,l