New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-05
Closing Of Net on Alien Foes
Has Freed Britain of Spies
London Began to Prepare Agad Crisis and When War
Started Was Able to Strike Swiftly at Enemies
Within Her Cates-How System Works

| tent authorities to take measures, such
| as j, internment, against any person
either Of enemy origin or association"
! The effect is that not only may enemy
aliens be informed, but even British
| subjects, should they fall under suspi-
cion Of giving aid or assistance to the
! enemy, or otherwise endangering the
! safety Of the realm. Within the past
! few days there have been two appli-
| catens to the courts in the case OF an
English woman. Miss Hilda Margaret
| Howsin, who had been interned for
| twenty-five months on the ground that
she went to Berne to communicate with
| an Indian known to be in close touch
| with German agents. Five judges, in
| GLIDING Lord Reading, the Lord Chief
Justice, have now upheld the action Of
the authorities, although the English
| bench is famed for its protection Of
the liberty Of the subject in regard to
all lawful matters. In point of fact, a
| considerable number of British sub
| jects, mainly OF enemy origin, have
been interned under this section, and
its value has proved undoubted.
Alien Enemies Intened
The next step was to intern all alien
enemies suspected Of being dangerous
in any degree 1t was impossible, al
though some newspapers clamored for
1t, to intern all alien enemies imme-
diately. To provide accommo dation in
i the internment camps for many thou
| sands of people is matter of some
difficulty, and the authorities had to
go about the work gradually, interning
the most dangerous first. But, at the
present time, the process has been long
completed, and 1t Is safe to say that
there is not a single alien enemy at
large in Great Britain unless by reason
of age, British origin or past history
and association. the authorities are
quite satisfied as to his or her harm
lessness.
And no risks are taken in the matter.
If the police have the very slightest
doubt on the point then the alien enemy
is informed Immediately. The extent OF
the work can be judged by the fact
that in the Isle of Man there Is one
camp which alone accommodates some
$4,000 male alien enemies.
These arrangements dispose Of alien
enemies resident in Great Britain at
the outbreak Of war. The next ques-
ton arising Is that of the prevention
of communication with Germany or
other enemy countries either directly
or by the agency of neutrals. This is
work that has grown gradually since
| the war began, but is now attaining
some degree of perfection.
Put shortly, there are only nine ports
at which alien passengers can land OF
embark for Holland, Denmark, Sweden
/ Spain, Portugal or South America. Be-
fore any person can attempt to leave
he or she must apply at one Of the
permit" offices existent at London
Liverpool, Hull and Newcastle for what
is termed permit" A very detailed
application form has first of all to be
| filled In and references to persons OF
known position have to be furnished
/ The form is then handed to the police
to investigate in every detail. The re-
suit of their investigation is communi.
Gated to the permit Office concerned and
referred to various authorities. II all
! interested are completely satisfied, then
| the permit is issued. II some suspicion
| arises, but there is no tangible evil
dence against the intending traveller,
then the permit is marked mo return,
and such person will not again succeed
in entering Great Britain.
| country must first of all have his or
her passport vised by British diplo-
matte or consular official. This wise,
again, is subject in neutral countries
to the Investigations of military ad-
wiser, to whom all doubtful cases are
referred. Until his sanction has been
obtained no wise can be granted. With
out such wise, if any person should sue
coed in reaching Great Britain, he or
she would be detained for special in
quiries.
On arrival at port of entry all per-
sons are subjected to the closest in
quiry and scrutiny. Roughly speaking,
nobody, unless British subject, can
enter this country without showing a
satisfactory reason. The inquiry is
long and detailed. For example, the
examination Of boat arriving with 100
neutral passengers occupies seven or
eight hours at least. Only after the
most careful investigation Is any one
allowed to land. The officers charged
in the work are all men of long train
ing and experience, and the possibility
Of fraudulent case slipping by them
Is remote.
Strict Rules Enforced
There remain the questions Of the
alien enemies allowed to remain at
large and the supervision of friendly
aliens. In both cases a considerable
zone has been marked out around the
entire coast Of Britain, which is termed
"prohib!ted area" Within this zone
no enemy alien Is allowed to enter
without the special permission Of the
police. Apart from this, he or she can
not travel more than five miles from
the usual place of residence without
the authorization Of the police. All
friendly aliens must now register with
the police, and they cannot enter pro-
hibited area unless in possession Of an
identity book. issued by the police after
investigation in each case.
By these means. coupled with strin-
gent mail, cable and parcel censorship.
the British authorities have been able
to defeat any danger from alien enc
mics. What used to be considered one
of the gravest perils awaiting this
country in time Of war has, under the
measures and precautions adopted,