GERMANS ARRESTED

Southland Times, Issue 17665, 24 February 1916, Page 5

GERMANS ARRESTED

EX-CONSUL AND HIS SECRET ART INTERNED. DAILY MEETINGS AROUSE SUSPICION. FOREGATHERING IN PUBLIC PARKS. (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, February 2S. The arrest has been effected under the Defence of the Realm Act, of the exGerman Consul in Auckland, Mr Carl Seegner, and his 1 former private secretary, Mr Lothnar Eilander. Both have been interned as prisoners of war and are at present under detention at the fort at North Head.

It is understood that the action of the authorities In the matter was du# to suspicions aroused hy the persons named in connection with their recent movements. Strict reticence is observed, both by the military authorities and the police, but enquiries made in other directions have brought to light the circumstances leading to the double arrest. It appears that for six months past Messrs Seegner and Eilander, and a third party in the person of a wellknown resident of Auckland, who is a German by birth but a naturalised British subject, have been in the daily habit of meeting in the domain. Business men and employees of firms whose establishments are situated in Stanley street and in positions in Parnell overlooking the domain and its entrances, have noticed these daily meetings. Sometimes' they have been elated and at other times glum, one observer declaring that the kind of mood they would be in could be ganged ' fairly accurately by the tone of the war news contained in the Herald in the morning. The conclusion which the observers came to was that the members of the trio were probably debarred from visiting each other's houses for some reason or other, and' that they therefore selected the domain for their daily consultations. More than once they were followed surreptitiously, and it was found that they did not always meet in the same spot. Several benches in secluded places in the bushcovered portion of the reserve were used by them in turn for the purpose of their meetings. On two occasions a fourth person was seen with the other three. The majority of those who noted the foregatherings of the trio became so accustomed to it that lately they had ceased to be very much interested. Some, however, took a different attitude, . and not only were their suspicions as to what might be afoot aroused but also their resentment. This led to certain persons making complaint both to the local police and the Defence authorities, whilst in one or two instances the matter was reported to the Defence Department in Wellington. It is also understood that the members of the trio concerned complained that they had been threatened by the employees of one firm with a ducking in the domain pond if they did not discontinue their daily meetings. Whether because of these threats or because they were aware that they were being watched Mr Seegner, his ex-secretary and their friend, changed their rendezvous a week or two ago. Instead of meeting in the domain they were seen together at lit Hobson, at Campbell’s Point, and in some of the city parks. Within the past day or two, however, they had reverted to tl»e domain. In view of complaints received from residents and business people Messrs Seegner and Eilander and their friend have been for some time past under surveillance. Why suspicion was attracted only to Mr Seegner and his former secretary has not been divulged, but it is understood that it was confined to -them and not extended to the third party, who is said to have invariably been with them on the occasions mentioned. The military authorities apparently decided that, especially in view of the alleged threats uttered against the ex-Consul and Mr Eilander, it would be better to intern them and so put them out of harm's way. Their arrest was quietly carried out on Tuesday shortly after they had. separated subsequently to having met each other as usual. They were immediately tafron over to Devtmport by ferry steamer and handed over to the military authorities at the fort.

In all probability both prisoners of war will be transferred to Motuihi or Somes Island, where there are internment establishments.