Unnaturalised Aliens in Nottingham, 2nd July 1917

On 2nd July 1917 it was reported that there were 26 Germans and seven Austrians living in Nottingham. All had to report weekly to the Guildhall; those of military age twice weekly.

“UNNATURALISED ALIENS AT LIBERTY IN NOTTINGHAM.

“THE WATCH COMMITTEE’S POWERS.

“The position with regard to uninterned and unnaturalised enemy aliens in Nottingham was explained to the Council to-day [2nd July 1917] by Ald. Sir John McCrath, in reply to a question put a month ago by Mr. J. Farr, who now said that considerable interest had developed in this matter in the Lace Market and elsewhere.

“Sir John McCraith, prefacing his observations with the statement that he was prepared to give more intimate details to the Council in committee, explained that there were in Nottingham 26 unnaturalised Germans and seven Austrians who were not interned. There seemed to be an impression that the internment depended entirely on the will of the Watch Committee, but the fact that the Watch Committee had nothing to do with the matter dealing the instructions that they received from the Central authority. On the outbreak of war the whole of the unnaturalised Germans and Austrians were interned, but the bulk of them were allowed to return to their vocations in Nottingham. The strictest watch however, kept upon them by the Detective Department, and he had it on the authority of the head of that department that there was no town in England where such a rigid watch was kept. Every unnaturalised alien had to report himself to the Guildhall every Monday, and those of military age had to report twice a week, while all of them had to carry about with them an identity book with the most complete personal details, a photograph, and an impression of the top of the right thumb. He was not aware that they could do anything more than they had already done, but he emphasised the point that no town carried out its duties more stringently and rigidly. It was within the province of the Chief Constable to report immediately to the Home Office in the case of anything auspicious, and that course had been followed on many occasions. If the suspicion was confirmed the man was arrested and sent to one of the internment camps.”

'Nottingham Evening Post', 2nd July 1917.