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Taranaki Daily News, 28 January 1918, Page 4

MONEY TO BURN. The Defence Department is treating the German escapees as something akin to heroes. To our mind, it would be more in accord with decency to treat them as criminals, as they undoubtedly are. They are brought down by train as royal passengers, the ordinary Britishers being forced to give up his seat that the arrogant Teutons may have ease and comfort on the journey. They are equally well treated in regard to accommodation on the boat to Lyttelton, and allowed to "deck" themselves up in their naval uniforms, and are treated generally as distinguished guests. But to the general public the worst feature of the treatment of these buccaneers, \vho have been responsible for the sinking of some of our ships, and probably for loss of life, is providing them with an island home ail to themselves, that they may stretch their weary limbs, and providing a high-salaried keeper and guard day and night. The expense of keeping up this little establishment will run into hundreds, probably thousands, of pounds. Why? Here we have three islands —Motuihi, Somes and Ripa—all specially set aside for the Germans, each with its staff of officers Pind guards. , The collective cost must be enormous. These are supposed to be times when all must exercise economy, yet never a lead is given in this desirable direction by the Government. On the contrary, a standard ia set in extravagance, which, if generally followed, would be disastrous to the country. Why, in the name of commonsense, could not all the German internees be placed on one island—say, Somes —with one keeper and one staff, etc? We fancy we hear the Government say it is not etiquette to allow the military and civilians to mingle together. Ab if the Germans in their own country show any such discrimination; as if they have honored international practices and laws. Our men are treated in Germany, there is ample evidence to show—the Wittenberg revelations, for instance—worse than any criminals. We do not wish to lower ourselves as the Germans have done—'humanity has its claims even in times of war against the greatest barbarians that have ever fouled the surface of this Earth—but surely we can cease pandering to the conceit and self-importance of the enemies in our midst. If it is thought advisable, in the interests of discipline, to draw a line between the military and civilian prisoners, then give them separate quarters —the island is sufficiently large for the purpose. To keep up three establishments, to patrol them, staff them, attend to three commissariat, three rounds of inspection, and three sources of anxiety, is the height of absurdity, and an absolute waste of money. If the Government has a few thousands to throw away, then let it give it in added allowances to the dependents of the men who are fighting the unspeakable Germans under conditions the like of which human beings have never before faced.