A GERMAN INTRIGUE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIX, Issue 8117, 11 April 1906, Page 3

A GERMAN INTRIGUE.

A grunt sensation has been occasioned in Germany b.v the publication erf a volume entitled "The Geruranisation of Alsace - Lurraine." The author of this bone of coutention is an ex-polioe officer named Stephany, who hold a bit? and important post in the police service }n Alsace-Lorraine,; and who has LATELY EKTIKED DISGUSTED, as be says, with the service of continuous spying. Ilerr ■ Stephaqy starts by stating that iu spite of every means of coercion, 90 per cent, of the natives of Alsace-Lor-raine are at heart French still. Although the Berlin authorities may not be aware of this fact, the of the two provinces are perfectly cognisant of it, and the result is a SYSTEM OF SPYING perhaps w.'thout parallel in Europe. Every man,' woman, or ohild, who crosses the frontier, into France, whether bent on profit or on pleasure, is a marked person, his or her name is put DOWN ON A JjLAOK LIST, as a supsect, and thenceforth every aotiou of the person is watched and noted. Peasants, deputies and wealthy business men appear upon the list, and the author actually gives many well-known names. "In the event of a general mobilisation," he says, "these 'suspects' would BE PROMPTLY ARPESTED, and either imprisoned or expelled from German territory." The polioe und secret police on the FrancoGerman frontier, he explains, are chosen from the smartest men in the service, and speak Farisian French or patois as required. They have examined the Frenoh fortresses thoroughly, and know not only the strong and weak points of the French defence, but also the number of guns, automobiles and pigeons in them. In the meantime, DESPITE HIS SENSATIONAL STORY, Herr Stephany has not been arrested,and no demand has been revived by the Swiss Government for bis extradition. Ihe Swiss Socialhave taken up the author's cause and definite charges must be forthcoming before h® will be handed over to the German Government.