HELIGOLAND

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14774, 13 October 1921, Page 3

HELIGOLAND

WHY ENGLAND CANNOT AID. IMPORTANT BRITISH RIGHT REMAINING. Though Heligoland, the rocky stronghold in Ihc North Sea, which had been British since 1807, was handed over to Germnny in 1800 without so much as a "By y'r leave" lo the islanders, there were stipulations in the Anglo-German Treaty preserving to them certain ancient rislits and privileges. _ But. the Treatv of Versailles extinguished, as between Great Britain and Germany, all treaties and conventions not expressly revived within a limited period, and thus the clauses of (he 1800 Treaty, relating to Heligoland, were allowed to expire, and the island became subject to Prussian rule without any reservations nl all in favour of the one-time British population. Now the Heligolanders arc demanding autonomy for the island. It, is rather difficult to say in wha.t. apart from taxation, and the possible desire to lie free from Prussian bureaucracy, the Heligolanders' grievances consist (writes a correspondent of the Morning Post). In many ways Ihc island, so often enwrapped in the murk and the mist of the North Sea. is as remote from us* as one of the Fijis, and though far less isolated than lonely Tristan d'Acunha, little news of Heligoland reaches these shores. On July 1, 1800, there was signed 'to quote the State Papers) in Berlin an "agreement between Great Britain and Germany respecting Zanzibar, Heligoland, and the spheres of influence of the two countries in Africa." By Section NIL the sovereignty over Heligoland was ceded to "the Emperor of Germany" (sic in State Papers), and if, was provided: "The German Government will allow to all persons natives of Ihc territory Ml us ceded the right, of opting for Bnlish nationality by means of a declaration made by themselves, and in the ease of children under a="C by their parents nr guardians, which must bo sent in before January t. IBo'2. All persons natives of the territory thus ceded and their children born before the dale of |.|m signature of the present asreement, arc free from Ihc obligation of service in Ihc military and naval forces of Germany." The Islanders' Rights. How far the option of British nationality was exercised is not known at this date, though possibly the island records would toll. .How far the German Government allowed freedom from conscription to Ihe islanders during the war it, is also impossible lo say, although by the German law of December 15, 1800. ratifying Ihe. Zanzibar and Heligoland Agreement, it was orrlained that "nil persons of Heligoland origin and their children bo'-p before August 11. 1800, are relieved of the duly of military service." There ran be no ground for complain), on this score now. however, as Germany has been obliged b>' Article 17:t of Ihe Treaty of Versailles lo abolish conscription. The 1800 Treaty also made Ihe following reservations. Existing native laws and customs were as far as possible lo remain undisturbed. The customs tariff then in force was not to be increased until lo|o. All rights to property which private persons; nr existing corporations had acquired in connection with the British Government were maintained; obligations resulting therefrom were Iransferrol to Mie German Emperor. The term "rights lo properly" included tli.it of Mtrnallinz then enjoyed by Lloyd's. The rights of British fishermen with ••ocHrd to anchorage in all wealher.s to take in provisions and water, to make •epairs. to transhipment of goods, fo Ihe sale of fish, and the landing sr.d drying of nets remained undisturbed. In an appeal to the Brilish nation dated October 20, 1920, a, number r,f Heligoland notables said: "Tncse ••iglits have now been practically all abolished by the German authorities." [f that is so. the German Government has not. exceeded ils jurisdiction, as Croat Britain deliberately gave up any ri This if. ever had or might, have over Heligoland, except (hat of supervising Ihe destruction of its fortificaWhether Lloyd's desires to have a station or not on the island there is also a. wireless station on Ihc island), whether British fishermen wish to use it, or not. the British Government has no authority now to say "yea" or "nay." The German Civil Law was introduced in 1000. and maybe that, did away with some of ih c prescriptive rights of the islanders. 11, certainly so modified the immemorial marriage law of the island lint i', lost, its reputation as a German Gretna Green. But, it. is too lale in Ihe day (o complain of such changes ■is thai, even if Ihey were in breach of the 1800 agreement. Demolishing the Defences.

However one may sympathise with Ihc lleligolanders in their present status, tim most important consideration for Britain now is the problem raised by Article ils of the Treaty of Versailles, which says: "The fortilications, military establishments, and harbours of the Islands of Heligoland and Dune shall be destroyed under the supervision of the principal Allied Governments by German labour, and at the expense of Germany, within a period to be determined, by the said Governments . . . nor shall any similar works be constructed in future." This work is being done under the eye of the Admiralty, and it is lime that progress was officially reported, so that wc may know when the above-mentioned "period" is likely to end. and how far all the breakwaters and moles and military works have disappeared. There seems to be an idea in official quarters that when all these artificial outworks are gone the rapid encroachment of Hie sea will deprive Heligoland of nny military possibilities by reducing it io its triangular cliff, about n mile lons by COO yards wide, which rises sharply to a height of 200 feet. The Dune is little more than a sandbank over a mile long and 350 yards wide: it was formerly part of the island, but is now cut off by a wide channel, which burst through the connecting neck of land in 1720. Here a little history would not be amis:;. Heligoland is one of the rriesian Isles, lying off the mouths of the Klbc and the Wcscr, about, 3") miles distant from Cuxhaven, and TO miles from Bremerhnvcn. It is now mainly a watering place, and lives mi its visitors, though it has valuable crab and oyster fisheries providing employment for some of the islander-;. The island has a resident population of about, 300(1.

It beloiv-'ed to the Dukes of tries-vlg-llolstcin-Ooltorp until 1711, when it eamc under Danish sovereignty. Arier Denmark became involved in hostilities with Enpland under Napoleon's influence, the British occupied the island in 1807, and it became an imporlnnt entrepol IVir Hie sniua;pliii'-- of British poods into Nurope. despite Hie "Conlinental System." In |St 1, hy |he Treaty of Diel. hennvirK cndfii the i-l unl to Britain, and for TTi yriiis ,i R:iti>h fiiivernnr hold sway. 1 >:. t ■ Is • ■ ii iin by a ?innll p;irri.-on mil a frw rnore or less oh.v.li'tr. .'ii iTliere wes also a scoariJo l!clrob:id |ic.slayc" sl.-imp. which ~11•'• ml■ I i:"v |u< iii:.or.~i the ni <"•?'• I m ir-*iroi\ ■■' plii'.-.ii - I. - Is - ■ uriop. 1 nder Ih.- Briti-h ad ministration the flue lighthouse was

built, with its powerful flash-light, signalling and lifeboat stations were set up, a school, a meeting-house, and a theatre was built. Caprivi's Deal. Urged, it is supposed, by Count von Caprivi, head of the German navy. Bismarck began negotiations for the acquisition of the. island in 188 i, an I in 1800, when Caprivi had become Chancellor after Ihe "dropping of die Pilot," the exchange for Zanzibar was carried out. The late Marquess or Salisbury, our Foreign Minister, explained at Ihe time: "Heligoland was properly retained by this country in ISIi because of its proximity lo Hanover, the Crown of which was then united lo that of England. It has, however, never been treated ,by the British Government as having any military or defensive value, nor has any attempt or proposal been made lo arm it as a fortress. Her Majesty's Government are of the opinion that it would constitute a' heavy addition to Ihe responsibilities of the Empire in time of war, without contributing lo its security." Of course, it is easy to l)o wise after the event, but without going into the question of the role, played by Heligoland in the Great War it at least behoves the Brilish Government now lo make sure lliat the island is rendered and kept innocuous, at any rate for such time as the Treaty enables Britain or its Allies to maintain a hold over pari, of •the German llliincluud —i.e., until. ID J 5. TAX FORMS DISTRIBUTED. A RIOT PROVOKED. A curious development in the con- ! Hid between the Heligolanders and the local representatives of the Imperial authority was reported by the Berlin correspondent of the Morning Post on August 17. A petition of Ihe islanders that they should continue lo enjoy immunity from Imperial taxation having been refused, tax forms were distributed among householders in Ihe ordinary way with the usual demand that Ihey should be tilled up and returned. A "Committee of Sixty-two," who lead the. agitation in Ihe island, protested against the measures, declaring that the Reichstag would champion the claims of Heligoland, and therefore that no tonus should be tilled.

The Imperial Commissioner ill' n proceeded to Berlin, and returned to the island with the assurance that lieligolauders have nothing to hope for from the Hcichstag, and that the forms must be. tilled. This announcement he caused to be publicly i iacarded on the island, with ttie result of provoking a riot led by the ' I'.ommillcc of Sixty-two," which, it is officially slated, was easily settled by the island police, but according to I Dc islanders not until the Commissioner had agreed to excise Hie assuri-.vc in regard to the Reichstag from his proclamation. •It is, of course, finite certain Ihc Hcichstag will not help Hie aelig;ilanders, and ultimately the imputing tax forms will have to he filled. STOPPING A COUGH. "The taste is not pleasant, but the good Ihey do for sufferers from coughs and colds is wonderful, l have made many lasting friendships simply by giving one of your Pufmonas to anyone I saw suffering, which must have made dozens of customers for jou. People simply cannot know there is such a remedy, or coughs and colds would not be nearly so common as they are." —An extract from recent letter. Pulmonas are the remedy which doctors now advise. They relieve coughs and colds by inhalation—the modern method. Sold by chemists, Is Cd and '2s fid a box, or sent post free on receipt of price by Staccy Bros., Box 882, Auckland.*