The Spectator at war: The enemy alien

From The Spectator, 24 October 1914:

It is alleged that in London there are something like a hundred thousand people, and as many more in the rest of the country—probably the figures are twice too high—of German and Austrian nationality. These aliens are for the most part at present earning their living in various trades. It certainly would be laying rather a heavy burden upon our shoulders to intern the whole of them, and to feed, clothe, and generally provide for their wants. No doubt if it must be done it must, but it would surely be unwise to hound the Government on to such action unless it is clear that it ought to be taken…

The spy problem is a special one, and really not very closely connected with the problem of the enemy alien.