France interns Austro-Germans
During World War I France opened some 60 internment camps in the south and west of the country, where tens of thousands of foreigners were held for all or part of the conflict.
The French authorities feared that if left free the foreigners would spy or sabotage the war effort or join enemy ranks.
At the time of the mobilisation to war, there were plans to evacuate only Austro-Hungarians and Germans living in the north-east region as well as Paris and Lyon.
An August 2, 1914 decree gave them 24 hours to leave France, but very few took advantage and they …read more
Source: Free Malaysia Today
