HELIGOLAND MAY BECOME A BIRD SHELTER

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIV, Issue LIV, 20 February 1920, Page 2

HELIGOLAND MAY BECOME A BIRD SHELTER

If the special commission to which the Peace Conference entrusted the task of the disposal of Tloliogoland, the former (Amman Gibraltar in the North Sea, wishes a suggestion for the solution of the problem, one is offered by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in England and by the Permanent Life Protective Fund of the United States. These two societies, acting jointly, suggest that the island be made an international paradise for birds, an observation station, and a sanctuary for onr feathered friends in their migration north and south and vice versa along the coast of Europe. Ip this solution of Hcliogolancl there is implied no suggestion that the “war” island be returned to Germany, in fact, the bird lovers of England and the United States much would prefer to have it become an in-, ternational possession with the world supporting it in the endeavour to promote the wild life of Europe. The movement has been endorsed by L. Mardiner, secretary of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, and also by Dr. William T. Hornaday, of New York. The suggestion has been forwarded to the Peace Conference, and in turn to the special commission, which is deliberating over its task.

Tlie backers of the movement assert that there is perhaps no bettor place along the European coast for the establishment of a wild bird reservation. A!ihong'h restricted in sizelie] iogoland is Jess than <onefrfi hj of a mile square—if is in the centre of the path of birds’ i migration, and at its highest point is 190 ft above sea level, a. lighthouse to flying birds. The size of the island is against it, it is in the shape of a mutton chop, a little short of a mile in length and 1700 ft. wide at its greatest breadth. But it; would act as a resting borne for birds on their annual fall and spring pilgrimages, and no longer be a menace to the peace of Europe. The Treaty of Peace with Germany made no reference to the final disposal of the island. The treaty provided; “The fortifications, military establishments, and harbours of the island of ITeliogoland and Dime ore to be destroyed under the supervision of the Allies by German labour and at German expense. They may not be reconstructed or any similar fortifications built in the future.” Therefore, argue the lovers of wild feathered life, ITeliogoland will become unfit for further military or naval duty, and its size will prevent its use in a commercial way. Turn the 7,500,000 dollars Germany expended to make it the Gibraltar of the North Sea to waste, but retain the island as a mark of peace and refuge for birds.