Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-07-24

nation not able and not willing to sus-
tain its rights by power"
Only few days before this, German
U-boats in the Arctic ocean, off the
Norwegian coast and outside of the
danger zone attacked small motor
fishing boats, fishing for the Germans
and therefore provided with German
outfit. sank some of them in the open
sea with small chances for the crews
to be saved, and in others DESTROYED
the motors and everything on board,
seized what they needed of provisions,
instruments and even money.
Nobody understands what benefit
these acts can be to the great war-to
destroy people working for the bene-
fit Of Germany itself. The foreign min
lister has sent some messages and pro-
tests to Berlin without obtaining a
satisfactory explanation. And in these
very fishing districts German agents
are buying all the Norwegian fish they
can, according to the agreement with
the government. German boats sail
safely inside the territorial line guild
cd by Norwegian pilots with their car
goes Of fish and provisions for Ger
many.
At the same time from all over Nor
Way come reports of arrests Of alleg-
ed German spies who are sent across
the Norwegian border. Norwegian cit
liens are being convicted by the court
in Bergen as paid spies for the Ger
man government and sentenced to i'm
prisonment for not more than six
he III &c moved that
their information to the Germans re-
garding the sailings of Norwegian
ships has caused these vessels to be
torpedoed and some Of the crews to be
killed. In these cases the court acted
according to the law. The whole ma
ton was struck aghast that this crime
against THE country should not be pun
ished more severely. The Germans in
volved were acquitted.
or the Norwegians involved. two
were captains on route steamers be-
tween Newcastle and Bergen, who had
been paid to report 10 the German es-
pionage control in Bergen everything
they saw in England and on their way
between England and Norway.
The espionage control was estab-
lished. it is charged, by the Antarctic
explorer, Lieutenant Filchner who, be-
fore the war had been very kindly re-
ceived everywhere in Norway, had
been the guest of the Geographical
Society. and who now used his knowl-
edge to plot against this country,
draw Norwegian men in his net ana
make them traitors to their own coun-
try. The whole press condemned fllch-
ner. The whole nation felt ashamed
and dishonored by this case remem-
berins the way the Swedish Baron Won
Rosen, with his anthrax and CHAMBERS
bacilli in sugar. was treated by Nor
wesian authorities and the way
German proved spy, Baumoister. also
was allowed peacefully TO go back to
Germany.
In the Legislature it was strongly
demanded that the police authorities
and the department Of justice, hereat-
ter. should see that the nation was rid
den of such German pests.
And in spite Of all this, in spite OF
the nearly unanimously demand TO
stop export of anything the couptry
needs for it's own citizens, the fish ex-
port to Germany still is going on and
the export of homemade 1arm prou-
ucts and canned milk is not stopped,
although the prospects for the people
in the coming fall and winter are
worse than ever.
Why the government. which week
after week suffers humiliations at the
hands of the German, has not stopped
all export on Germany until satisfac-
ton is given, is regarded here as
mystery A great many anti Social
lists agree with the Socialists who
criticize the government for having
spent 500. 1000, 900 in three years on the
neutrality guard. The Socialists say
1t would have been better to use this
money to relieve the high cost Of liv-
ing, asserting that the naval and army
defense is in too poor condition to
be Of any use and that the money is
wasted
Other citizens who believe IN afma-