“FIFTH COLUMN”

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 4488, 8 October 1940, Page 4

“FIFTH COLUMN”

GERMANS IN CANADA Of 16,643 enemy aliens registered in Canada, 321 have been interned, including Nazis, active Nazi sympathisers, and persons suspected from their records likely to be active in Nazi propaganda or hostile acts. The bulk of the aliens have been allowed their freedom and the protection of the law, so long as they pursue their ordinary avocations. The first group arrested were German nationals, resident in Caftada, who were either known or suspected to be members of the German National Socialist Party. Each member undertook to obey implicitly and without question the orders of the German Fuhrer or hi s representatives. This organisation was a compact and rigidly disciplined body, and its members were regarded as dangerous in the conditions prevailing. The second group consisted of male members of the Deutsche Arbeitsfront, an affiliate of the first. Its members described themselves in their form of application for membership as true followers of the Fuhrer. A third group whose arrest was ordered comprised German nationals resident in Canada, not known to belong to the first of second groups, but who, from their political and social associations, business and industrial connections, and other opportunities for espionage, were considered to be persons who could not safely be allowed at large during war. The fourth group consisted of naturalised Canadians of German birth or racial origin who had so identified themselves with Nazi propaganda activities in this country that it was felt they could not be regarded as loyal citizens of Canada. They were persons of influence in their communities, and were the leaders of the Deutscher Bund Kanada who had been conspicuous in their attempts to disseminate German culture among Canadians of German origin. While the Minister tor Justice felt at the time that, as a precautionary measure, they should be arrested, he was also aware, he said, that probaly many of them could safely be released under suitab'e sureties of good conduct, if subsequent inquiries established that they should no longer be regarded as dangerous persons.

The Minister, Hon. Ernest Lapointe, is at the moment pleading with organ isations which seek to curb “fifth column’’ activities not to persecute racial minorities. As an example, from the time of the crisis, in September, 1938, the authorities of' the German Lutheran Church in Vancouver, who were thoroughly loyal to Canada and the British Empire, discontinued services in the German language. The only ones who could not understand English were old folks, who never learned English. To them the service was translated.