The Dominion TUESDAY, MAY 14, 1940. THE MENACE OF THE "FIFTH COLUMN”

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 195, 14 May 1940, Page 6

The Dominion TUESDAY, MAY 14, 1940. THE MENACE OF THE "FIFTH COLUMN”

Certain aspects of the German invasions of Norway and the Low Countries have brought into prominence the real nature and activities of that instrument of Nazi strategy known. as the Irifth Column. It is now well established from an accumulation of evidence that these invasions have formed part of a long and carefully prepared, plan. The advance forces were the Fifth Column, otherwise the Nazi cells of espionage, intrigue, and subversive activities planted in every country marked out for aggression either now or in the future. It has been shown that Norway, Belgium and Holland were honey-combed with such cells, with the result that when the first alarms of organized invasion were sounded the enemy was already in the midst of the threatened populations, busily spreading rumours, lies, and disaffection, and preparing the way for the armed forces. The fact to be realized, and acted upon, is that this organization is world-wide. The question that British countries throughout the Empire have now to face is whether the supervision of aliens witmn. their own borders is strict enough to ensure that there will 'be no possibility of mischief-making on the part of enemies in their midst. When the war began British policy, which was followed in principle in other Empire countries, was to avoid large-scale internment of aliens, and simply enforce a general registration, while conveying the warning that the freedom they were privileged to enjoy was subject to their good behaviour. But recent events have necessitated a swift change of policy in Britain, and, as the result of lightning raids, some 3000 male enemy aliens have been rounded up and interned in order to safeguard the internal security of the country. Drastic restrictions have been imposed on the movements of all others. This action demonstrates that the British Government, warned by what has happened elsewhere, has realized the danger of allowing these people too much liberty and latitude. What is this country doing to safeguard its internal security? The Government has talked very loudly about suppressing subversive elements with a firm hand. It has taken powers under regulations gazetted to do so. The provisions of these are drastic enough to ensure that trouble-makers will be quickly suppressed. But what has the Government done by way of putting them into operation? The public knows perfectly well that the regulations are being flouted in various ways. Encouraged by their continued immunity from interference those responsible are extending their activities and strengthening their poisonous influence. When a nation is fighting for its existence there are only two elements to be considered: those who are for it and those who are against it—in other words, its friends and its enemies. The enemies in our midst are the more subtle and dangerous. They worm their way into various community organizations and official positions. Whether they are Communists, Nazi sympathizers, parading as persecuted refugees, or people who are silently working for the enemy under cover of their local standing as residents and established citizens, they should be dealt with as enemies of the State. There should be a thorough overhaul of the Public Service, and effective methods to establish beyond all possibility of doubt the bona-fides of alien refugees who have been arriving in this country, in considerable numbers during the past six months. We must be armed not only against subversive activities directed at undermining the national war effort, but also against sabotage and treachery on the part of enemy sympathizers.