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Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVIII, Issue 288, 14 May 1915, Page 4

I KhA I MKX r OK (JKJiMAN ALIJONV3. Hie violent anti-(ierman demonstrations that are reported as having occurred in England consequent on the sirikiii" of <l.O Lusitania show how deeply the in--1 i inanity and brutality of the'perpetra-t'-rs of such outrages have alTccied the ]'<oplc and caused (he momentary obliteration of all feelings except those of indignation and revenge. It is not the I nsitania affair alone which has aroused tin's angry outburst, but a succession of horrors of which that was the latest i'rd most inexcusable. When the first shock has expended itself the people will, no doubt, refrain from proceeding to extremities, but there will be an eveiincreasing demand for legitimate reprisals. Mob law is always dangerous, and however exasperating may be the cause it is far safer to leave the remedy in the hands of the responsible (iovernmont. It is quite legitimate and justifiable under the circumstances to ostracise alien (iermans and keep them from entering such business p'aces as the Stock and Royal Exchanges and other similar cosmopolitan foregathering* of commercial men, but to wreck shops and ill-treat defenceless women and children is only lowering the standard of morals to that of the enemy. At the same time there should be a concerted movement by the various governments throughout the Empire to face the question of reprisals. It would be quite legitimate and, to our mind, perfectly justifiab'e to confiscate the property of all alien 'iermans in every part of the Kuipi-e and to devote the proceeds towards alleviating the distress of the Belgian;, the victims of the submarine raids (including' the owners and crews of the trawlers which have been sunk), the repayment of indemnities squeezed out of the Belgians, and the general damage (o property and loss or life of non-com-batants consequent on the aerial and submarine raids. The question of internment is one of great dilliculty to face and overcome, but that some action must be taken is evident, Natural is-1 Oermaus must, of course, be protected so long as they are loyal British subjects, but there are numbers of alii n Germans who should be dealt with summarily and effectively by the authorities so as to prevent a serious outbreak of violence against them. There Inn been far too much latitude given, and it is high time to put the screw on firmly and effectively. The action of the British Government is being awaited with impatience. Meanwhile the Dominion Oovernment may be expected to take the matter in hand in a fearless and determined manner.