ANOTHER DEFENCE SCANDAL

Evening Star, Issue 16911, 7 December 1918, Page 9

ANOTHER DEFENCE SCANDAL

The Endletsberger Case CALLS FOR THE CLOSEST ENQUIRY. The Officer Commanding Flouted. THE ENEMY WITHIN AND WITHOUT THE GATE.

The circumstances under which the German doctor who was for good and sufficient reasons interned on Motuihi Island, was released from the prison camp at Motuihi have been explained to tbe Auckland ‘ Herald ’ by the officer commanding the district (Colonel Patterson). It seams that Dr Endletsberger left Motuihi under escort on the afternoon of November 22. and returned to the island lato on T\ ednesday night. Colonel Patterson said that lato on the evening of November 21 he received a telephone message from an Auckland resident, asking if he would arrange to have Dr Endletsberger sent from Motuihi to go to Rotorua to attend his wife. Colonel Patterson replied that ns he had no instructions he could not accede to the request. He added that Head quarters in Wellington had not communicated with him in regard to the matter. On the following morning (Friday, November 22) Colonel Patterson received a telegram from Headquarters, Wellington, Instructing him to allow Dr Endletsberger to proceed to Rotorua for the purpose of giving medical attention to a patient who was seriously ill, and who had previously been attended by the doctor. The telegram, which was the first communication received from Wellington regarding tho matter, stated that Dr Endletsberger was to be accompanied by an officer, that the woman's husband was to be informed that he would be held personally responsible for Dr Endletsberger's safe custody, and Tvonld be required to pay all expeiises. Dr Endletsberger was brought irom Motuihi on the afternoon of November 22, and he left for Rotorua the same evening in charge of Lieutenant Fitchett, second in command of the Motuihi internment camp. He returned from Rotorua last Wednesday, and was forthwith returned to Motuihi, arriving at the island shortly after midnight. Colonel Patterson said he was held responsible for the safe custody of the prisoners of war on Motuihi. and therefore could not lightly order the release of a prisoner. The action of the military authorities at Wellington in overriding the decision of the officer commanding at Auckland gave rise to much adverse criticism in Auckland, where, at the instance of the local Red Cross Society, an emergency meeting of the Citizens’ Committee was held, under the nresidenev of Mavor Omtsnn.

The Mayor said a report, that was current that Dr Endlctsbergsr had been allowed to go to Rotorua to assist in fighting the epidemic was incorrect. He had been released at the instance of an Auckland resident, in order to attend to this man’s wife, who was seriously ill. and whom Dr Endletsberger had attended prior to his internment. On Thursday, Nov. 21, Colonel Patterson, O.C.D.,was' approached by the person in question, and asked that the doctor be released. Colonel Patterson bad refused, and had also refused to refer the matter to Wellington. Thereupon private representations had heon made to Headquarters, with the result that Dr Endletsberger had promptly been removed from Motuihi and allowed to proceed to Rotorua under guard. In answer to queries the Mayor stated that the patient was not of British birth. He understood she was an American. [Mrs Ravner. whom Dr Endletsberger attended, is of Canadian birth.—Ed. E.S.] The main point was, however, that a German prisoner on the representation of a private person, had received special preference over other prisoners. The man had been in private practice in Auckland before the war, and doubtless expected to return to it after final release. It would boKi. gross injustice to the whole profession if this were permitted. Mr E. Parry lLah.) said that if the doctor were able -to render useful service to the community, and was willing to do so. he should he permitted to. *' If I were sick,” he said. ‘‘l would just as soon he treated bv a German doctor as anv other.” Mr Guinson; Then mi are rather dif ferent from most people ! Mr J. W. Bhackelford (ex-Mayor of Mount Eden): I shall support the rc-mcst of the deputation. We do not want there aliens in this country at all. Sirro they have been thought sufficiently ho-tilo to he interned, now the war is over they should be sent out of the Dominion. I will no! only support a resolution’ of protect, but move that all aliens imprisoned in the Dominion be returned to their own countries and not allowed to rettte down again in the Dominion. Mr T. Blocdworth: A.s a Labor man. 1 cannot support anv such protest Tlr's committee were brought together to fight the epidemic. If this man can render ser•vios to humanity, then he should be .allowed to do it without any protest from ns. Ore of the nurses who gave her fife, on the Niagara was also a- German. We may have had Germans working with us in the epidemic. Such a resolution as the one proposed will disrupt this committee, and T very much regret that the matter has been introduced at all.

Several other speakers supported this view, one drawing attention to the feet that Dr Endletsbergor had not been actually released as ho had travelled under guard, and had not been allowed anv liberty. Xo doubt Tic posrer-'od special qualifiratians for dealing with the caso in question. The patient had confidence in him, and this alone Would greatly aid her recovery. Mr Shackleford ; All the same. T verv much doubt whether' she would have got him if she had been a working man’s wit a.

Mr Parry again said that the motion should be withdrawn. else it would break ut* the committee.

Mr Gtmson said that there was no reason whatever v/hr it should cause dissension, and proceeded to rend the resolution.

Mr Parry strain rose to protest, but was S&aroly brought to order by the chairman. Mr M. ,7. Svivage (T,ab.) entered a vigorous protest against the motion being carried in any form. People ought to accept, the service? of anvone able to help at tho present time. “ Are wo going to say we are not going to accept the services of a doctor simply because he happens to be bona- in another countrv?” he demanded. “If the Minister of Defence released th-i? man to render .service to the community, he only acceded to the request of this committee in asking for medical assistance. Tho fact that a doctor was horn in a r enemy country is no reason why he should not he allowed to render assistance now.” Tin's sentiment did not meet with the approval of several members, who reminded the speaker that Dr Endletsberger had not been released in tho interests of the community, but merely for the purpose of attending to one patient. A resolution protesting against the release of Dr Endlatsberger from internment at the present time was finally carried by 15 votes to 12, Mr Shackleford withdrawing his proposal that all alien subjects be deported from tho Dominion. ******* The following letter hv Dr Bertram, of Rotorua, speaks for itself:— In view of the misleading information that has been given to the public concerning Dr Endletsberger’s visit to Rotorua, the following facts should be placed on record : “*l. Mrs Ravner had been under my medical care tor some six weeks prior to Endletsberger’s visit here. She has never at any time expressed a desire to consult him. Had any consultation been considered necessary Colonels Mills and Herbert and Major Abbott and Dr Price were available in the town. j

2. (Mrs Rayner was convalescent for some time before Endletsberger visited Rotorua.

5. Dr Endletsberger arrived on No vember 23.

He came to my house on November 25. Tins was the first knowledge I had of his presence in the town. Ho said that his object in visiting mo was to deny a- minor that ho had visited Mrs Rayner professionally. He find been sent to Rotorua to recuperate after working among tho Maori soldiers at Narrow Neck. [This is a wilful misrepresentation. The man never attended professionally anv of the occupants of the Maori camp.—E-d. E.S.j He called 'on Mrs Raynor only socially,' as he was staving in the same hotel. The last idea in his mind was to interview Mrs Rayner professionally, as ho knew I was attending her. Tho brief interview with him at my door then terminated. Ho left Rotorua the following morning, and as far as I am aware he never attended Mrs Rayner in any professional capacity. 4. As Endletsberger was interned about April, 1916, it is obvious that ho could not have attended any patients for two years and a-lialf. This fact was not considered by the authorities a sufficient reason to call for an inquiry whether Endletsberger’s presence was necessary or desired by my patient.