ENEMY ALIEN

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 197, 20 August 1943, Page 4

ENEMY ALIEN

HAD U.S. UNIFORMS

SENTENCE OF SIX MONTHS

The reason advanced by a young enemy alien for possessing various portions of American uniforms was not accepted by Mr. J. H. Luxford, S.M., this morning, when Heinz Isadore Rosenberg (23) appeared in the Police Court on summons and pleaded guilty to a charge-of having in his possession, without lawful excuse, a coat, fteid jacket, pair of trousers, a shirt, necktie, two garrison caps, a marine cap, a naval cap, baton, cartridge belt, two corporal's chevrons and two metal insignia of the U.S. forces, of a total value of £9 16/7, the property of the United States Government. Remarking that the proper authorities should look into the matter of Rosenberg's liberty, the magistrate sentenced him to six months' imprisonment. Mr. M. Robinson appeared for defendant, who was of good physique and appearance. Born in Berlin • Senior-Detective Walsh, who prosecuted, said Rosenberg was a German Jew and was born in Berlin in 1920. He arrived in New Zealand with his family in 1937. and since then he had followed the occupation of a hairdresser. Soon after the commencement of the war Rosenberg volunteered for service in New Zealand but his application was refused. However, he was later taken into the army, but was discharged after 3 i days' duty, the grounds being that he would not make an efficient soldier. Subsequently Rosenberg made a further request to get into the United States forces, but his application was declined.

"Some time ago he was employed as a barber at a United States hospital, and there he became possessed of these pieces of American uniforms and other articles," added Mr. Walsh, pointing to a pile of things on a table. "Some of these he had found, and others he said he had given to him. Rosenberg said he had these articles with a view to impersonating a United States soldier and going overseas to strike a blow at the Axis forces. Rosenberg also had in his possession a considerable quantity of American cigarettes which are at present the subject of inquiry by the Customs. In addition, he had two leave passes, one of which he filled in in his own name." "It is about time his duty as a citizen of New Zealand was brought to his notice," continued the senior detective. "He has previously been fined for having an unsealed radio in his possession. The alien authorities have also had occasion to speak to him concerning other matters, but he Avas not charged in respect of them. It is now time he was brought up with a round turn." Suffered Persecution Mr. Robinson said Rosenberg had suffered serious persecution at the hands of the Nazis before he left Germany. The lives of himself and his family had been threatened, and it was only after great difficulty that they got out of Germany with their lives. Counsel produced to the magistrate a letter which had come to Rosenberg, via the Red ,Cross authorities, from Germany, stating that some of Rosenberg's relatives m Germany had disappeared. Knowing what he himself had gone through, Rosenberg could only place one construction on that. Immediately on the outbreak of war Rosenberg had volunteered, but was turned down. The reason he was later discharged from the army after 3i days' duty was not because he was inefficient, but obviously because he was born in Germany. While working at the American hospital, Rosenberg was given various parts of uniforms by Americans who sympathised with him and in order that he might accompany them when -they went to the islands to fight. Rosenberg had made application to high American officers to join the U.b. forces, but was refused as he was a German. Rosenberg had a genuine desire to join the Allied forces and fight the Axis. There was nothing sinister in what he had done. It was pointed out by Mr. Robinson thaV Rosenberg was not fined for having an unsealed radio, but for (having ii> his possession parts of a I radio se». Concerning, the cigarettes, ■counsel said Rosenberg, while employed in "~fe American hospital, had the right to purchase cigarettes for his own use. "I Don't Like It" Mr Luxford (addressing Rosenberg): You are an enemy alien residing in this country. Many people feel that aliens are a potential source of danger. Some' protest too much. That's what I feel about you. You say you have a keen desire to serve but that is a matter about which I have a certain amount of doubt, you talk about striking at the Axis but everyone knows that without proper military training you would be a liability in action. I don't accept the statement that you thought you could •assilt You have all these portions of uniforms in your Possession and two leave passes—one of which you filled in in your own name I don t Ske it at all. I think it would be wise and in the public interests if the Proper authorities looked into the matte? of your liberty. In the meantime you will be sentenced to six months' imprisonment.