The Waikato Times With which is incorporated The Waikato Argus. TUESDAY, JULY 6, 1915. TRAITORS IN THE CAMP.

Waikato Times, Volume 84, Issue 13217, 6 July 1915, Page 4

The Waikato Times With which is incorporated The Waikato Argus. TUESDAY, JULY 6, 1915. TRAITORS IN THE CAMP.

The sensational story published in our cable messages on Saturday to the effect that an Australian had been caught "sniping" his own officers has naturajly aroused considerable feeling, and fears have been expressed that possibly the same thing may have occurred in regard to our own men, thus accounting for the very large toll levied on the officers of the New Zealand force. It certainly shows the need for the exercise of extreme care to prevent anyone with the "taint" being permitted to join the force.

It is stated that the traitor referred to, though born in Australia, was of German parentage, and possibly those same parents have been boasting of their loyalty to their adopted country, and instancing the fact of their son's enlistment as 'rrofutable evidence that all their sympathy was with the British in this struggle. We know that there are some men of German descent amongst the New Zealanders, and we hope that in the face of what has been reported from Gallipoli the authorities will bo warned and carefully weed out all such from future reinforcement drafts, as well as take immediate steps to recall those who have already gone forward. While it is appalling to think that men can sink to such depths of infamy as to deliberately perjure themselves in order to perpetrate treachery, the fact remains that they do, and it behoves us, for the safety of our brave lads, to take no risks. One traitor in the camp could work more harm than numerous honourable foemen, and every effort must be made to shield our men from the possibility of being laid low by an assassin's bullet.

There is, we note by English papers to hand by the last mail, an outcry amongst the "naturalised" Germans at the fiendish methods of their countrymen, and they are freely offering their services to the Imperial Government in any capacity as proof of their earnestness. We would be very sorry to asperse all Germans as treacherous, but we would be even more sorry to see the offers of help accepted. Every German, however estimable he may be, within our borders must necessarily be an object of suspicion during the present crisis—a fact for which the Teutonic Government is responsible, for by its Naturalisation Act it has placed a premium upon duplicity among Germans residing abroad, and while we are of opinion that many of these are better morally than 'heir Government, we cannot, in the interests of public safety regard them as above supicion. Truly loyal "naturalised" Oetmans can best show their loyalty at the present juncture by quietly performing their ordinary duties as peaceful citizens. Loud protestations of loyalty and fervid offers to serve against their own countrymen should be regarded as prima facie evidence of traitorous intent.