Kelso Chronicle – Rounding up the Aliens

21 May 1915

The rioting (only at Dumfries in Scotland), which demonstrated the people’s indignation over the sinking of the Lusitania threated some days ago to assume alarming proportions not only in this country but also in the Colonies. If there had been another such outrage the German and Austrian aliens who have long intermingled with us in peace and enjoyed by their own choice our hospitality and our privileges would have been in considerable danger of their lives. There is no room for doubt however that there is a multiplicity of wretched mercenary spies in our midst and the Government’s move for more restrictions on aliens has not come a bit too soon. It may thus be outlined – 19,000 enemy internees and 40,000 (16,000 are women and children) were at large. All adult males of military age who are not naturalised should be interned and those over 55 years repatriated. While women and children would also be repatriated, there are many instances in which humanity and justice would require that they should be allowed to remain. An advisory body is being set up, which applications for exemptions from the general rule of internment could be considered. In the case of naturalised aliens (c. 8,000) they would be allowed to remain, but the Advisory Board would have the power to intern in cases of suspicion. A large number of aliens have arrived at Stobs for interment, mostly from Manchester. These men arrived in charge of police to whom they had surrendered for their personal safety. Numerous crowds were drawn from Hawick out of curiosity and restrictive orders have been issued against these crowds.