HELIGOLAND REVOLTS

Hokitika Guardian, 23 May 1929, Page 7

HELIGOLAND REVOLTS

SEEKS BRITISH RULE. Heligoland, or “Holylnnd,” the tiny but strategic island one-fifth of a square mile in area, commanding access to Hamburg and Bremen, started its own revolution recently for England against Germany. The first blows fell when hundred. o of Heligoland’s 3400 inhabitants demonstrated by singing “ Britannia Rules tho Waves” with gusto in a broad German accent, then marched up to the building of the pro-German paper “ Hcligolander Zeitung,” beat up the editor, and engaged in a free for all light. The editor appealed to loca 1 authorities, who refused to interfere. ORIGINALLY WERE BRITISH. The islanders originally were British ”util 1890, when Heligoland was exhanged For Zanzibar by an agreement between Lord Salisbury and Bismarck. Under the empire they proved loyal to Germany, which did a great deal for the island’s prosperity by making tin -trong miltary station a base for a lying naval squadron and building a bilge cement dyke to protect it from the ravages of storms. Versailles imposed upon Germany the demolition of not only the fortiications but also the protecting dyke, since when every big storm has carried away bits of the crumbling sandstone island. Last summer work was started on the building of a cement sea wall, but the Prussian Government, ■facing the necessity of economy, could not continue with sufficient subsidies, •'o the work was suspended. The winter’s exceptionally severe frosts further disintegrated the sandstone, rendering many houses near the cliffs unsafe aan threatening the island’s very existen -e STIRS OLD ALLEGIANCE. The dissatisfaction has stirred to life igain the old allegiance to England, many islanders believing a return tr English rule would not only give than a strong sea wall, but renew prosperity iy the establishment of a naval base. Efforts to suppress pro-English agitation were foiled by the attitude of the local council, which almost unanimously shares the population’s feelings. Many villages beat up and nearly killed tax collectors sent by the government. They threatened a general farming strike. The ITeligolanders hope by courting England that their tax bill will be reduced to a minimum. Right now they ire receiving favoured treatment. No -luty is imposed on goods imported into Heligoland, so that it is an “Eidonio” for smugglers of luxuries such as perfumes, lobsters, silks and cigars'/;.is. all of which are heavily taxed when they enter Germany.