SPY HUNT IN AUSTRALIA

Chronicle (Levin), 21 February 1947, Page 5

SPY HUNT IN AUSTRALIA

Press A-san

Efforts To Protect Rocket TestSecrets EXHAUSTlVE .INVESTIGATtONS

By Telegraph

.-Copyright

' CANBERRA, Feb. 19. One of the most ititensive spy hunts iii Australian history is now being waged by the Commohw.ealtli authorities as part of an elaborate security xJlan to protect the secrets of the rocket oomb tests in Central Australia. Exnaustive investigations have been ordered to block every possible chahnei chrough which unauthorised* informa Aon might reach certain f oreign Fowers. The credentials and background of every person entering Australia are feing subjected to the closest scrutiny 'or security reasoiis, Even experts directly coneerned with the experiments will be checked before they are allowed to take part in this important defence project. The active support of the British Government has been enlisted in guaranteeing the bona lldes of the members of the British rocket bomb party short ly to arrive here. The complete history of every person directly or indirectly lssoeiated with the project will be t h 0 rou gl 1 1 y ex am i n ed . In addition, scores of people who have been resident in this country for ong periods will be brought within the u-ope of the iuquiry. Bpecial attention ■ vill be [)aid to certain persons and groups whose political activities inside Australia have attractod attention. Resides a thorongh investigation of Ihe individnals, the security plan to protect. the rocket bomb project will possibly include a provisioh for ihe dispersal of experimental activities This will be designed to assure that none but the highest authorities will be able to secnre n complete pieture of Ihe exleriments and tliat any piece of infor•nation which niight escape th rough the •laborate security cordon will be of ininimum value to other than those coordihating (he entire underlakjig. To achievd this objective several widelv separated factories will probably be, used for Ihe production of necessary components. Tliese moves have. I'ollowed clos"ly upon tlie happenings in Canada where it was disclosed that certain information regarding ntomic experimehts found its wav into Russia. Gopies of the report of the f'anadian investigation have been flown ,1o Australia and are being closely studied by the ( 'oinnionwealt h authorities, who are now familiar with all nielhods used for obtaining information. Freliminary work for tlie rocket bomb tests will soon begin at j\I1. Flia, (30 miles north of tlie trans-continental railway and *100 niiles northwest oi Brokeu Hill. The range extends in a norlh-westerly direct ion riglit ac.ross Australia, reaching tlie coast" between Shellsborough and Broome; and- passing ••igho out over the ocean to GliristinaP 'sland for a total length of 5000 niiles. The first stage, estimated to eosf £5,000,000, will extend 500 miles.