HIS GERMAN “WIFE.”

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1668, 30 January 1917, Page 4

HIS GERMAN “WIFE.”

A BID FOR FREEDOM,

The escape and recapture of two interned Germans was reported in a cablegram from Australia last week. Particulars of the incident are given by the Sydney Sun : Half an hour before the Brisbane mail was due at Hornsby a smartly-dressed man and woman walked briskly on to the platform and attracted more than usual attention because of their neatness and bearing. They were man and wife —at least that was what everybody thought—and when they visited the ticket office the “husband" asked for two tickets, remarking that “his wife" and himself were bound for Brisbane. There was nothing suspicious in their demeanour, but the man, who was the oniy one to do any talking, spoke imperfect* English, and the ticket-seller came to the conclusion that every tiling was not right. Consequently, while he kept the (ample engaged, he sent word to Constable Anderson, who was on the station.

Anderson was dubious about doing anything at the outset. Urn man was evident ly respect ah'e. H wife was dressed m an expcimivelookir.g white blouse and grey skirt, white stockings, smart shoes, a, large Panama hat. with blue trimmings, and a white gossamer. I-ul after a few minutes he approa:died them and asked where they were going. The man adopted an ind'g-

mint air. “How (hire you?" bo retorted. “This is my wife, "ion have no right to speak to us.’ Hie woman said nothing. But it was regarding “her” Anderson had become suspicious. Suddenly he caught hold of the Panama she was wearing, and when he lifted it a woman’s -wig also came away, revealing a distinctly Teutonic head. Anderson then learned that the husband and wife were George Edward Knoff, aged twenty-two (the man), and Karl Kruse, aged thirtythree (the woman), two German internees who had escaped from the Holdsworthy camp. Anderson took them to the Hornsby police station, where he found that Kruse was clothed entirely in female apparel. He was wearing corsets, and had the front of the blouse neatly padde. His lips were painted, and his face powdered. Knoff was dressed in a tailored brown tweed suit, and had a sum of money in his possession.