German Aliens
German Aliens is a letter written by Arthur Conan Doyle published in the Daily Mail on 28 october 1914.
Letter
From Sir A. Conan Doyle.
To the Editor of The Daily Mail.
Sir, — Your correspondent "M. B. J.'s" remarks are beside the point. I have said nothing about German aliens. In fact, I reluctantly acquiesce in their internment, for though I believe them to be in the main inoffensive people, it is just that they should suffer for the methods of their country as exemplified by Stieber, Graves, and others.
The eases I mentioned were those of Germans long naturalised with British wives. If these are to be treated exactly as the aliens are, then a British naturalisation paper has become as faith-less a document as a German treaty.
A London newspaper quoted the other day with apparent approval the case of a citizen whose windows were broken because he harboured, two distressed Germans. The same paper referred to the people who had subscribed to a fund for helping destitute German governesses, music masters, and others as "comforting the King's enemies." This is not patriotism. It is pure caddishness, and hurtful to our national reputation.
ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE.
Windlesham, Crowborough, Sussex.
