STORY OF SIR JOSEPH JONAS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 278, 13 August 1918, Page 6

STORY OF SIR JOSEPH JONAS

EX-LORD MAYOR WHO HAD DEALINGS

WITH THE ENEMY

NATIONAL SECRETS DISCLOSED

At Bow Street, London, on June 19, Sir Joseph Jonas (73), steel manufacturer, and Lord Mayor of Sheffield in 1905, and Charles Alfred Vernon (37), of Glenmore liond, Hampstead, London, described as a manufacturer's agent and an official at the Ministry of Munitions, surrendered to their bail to answer a charge that, on divers dates between September 1, 1913, and Juno 10, 1918, they did unlawfully conspire together and with divers other persons whose names are unknown •to contravene the provisons of tho Official Secrets Act, 1911, by obtaining and communicating for a purpose prejudicial to tho interests of the State information useful to an enemy, and information relating to a prohibited area and to things therein.

Sir R. Muir, in opening the case, said that Sir Joseph Jonas, who was 73, was a native of the Grand Duchy' of Hesse until ho becamc a naturalised subject in 1878. He had been Lord Mayor of Sheffield and a Justice of the Peace for that city, and he was a member of a firm of steel manufacturers now called Jonas, Colver, and Co., Ltd., formerly known ns Jonas and Colver, Ltd. 1 hey had two steel manufactories in Sheffield, one known as tho Continental Steel Works and tho other as tho local. There was also a man connected with the firm up to July, 1917, who had a-eon, Karl Alfred itahn, now the defendant Vernon. Defendant changed his name about June G, 1913, to Charles Alfred Vernon-Hahn, bat on August 15, 1911, dropped the hyphenated Halui. Ijlo was llio London agent of Jonas and Colver, Ltd., and of Jonas, Colver, and Co., Ltd. Comparatively recently ho became employed in the Ministry of Munitions at the Grand Hotel annexe. In tho correspondence a man named Gustavo Tillman was mentioned, as was another named Richard Zieschang, who was born in this country in 1873 of German parentage.

In counsel's view tho statements made in the correspondence against Zicschang Were not; evidence against him. If they were lie would be in the dock. Ziescliang In November, 1913, was a foreman at the Crayford works of Vickers Limited and was still employed there. Paul von Gontard was one of Sir Joseph's correspondents and was apparently an intimate friend. lie resided in Berlin, and was connected with an armament works there., Messrs. Vickers were, engaged at Crayford in laying down an' extensive plant for making a rifle of a new design, and tad at tho works plans and specifications. That fact was sufficient in itself to moke Messrs. Vickers' works at Crayford a prohibited place within the meaning of the statute. ' Tho first letter he would read was a memorandum from Jonas and Colver, Limited, Continental Works, dated April 9, 1913. This document, which was in the handwriting of Hahn, said: — "Alfred Wright is paying a visit to steel works in Germany. He says the works are very large, and are introducing American machinery. They, themselves, hope to supply tho British Government with small arms in a very big way." -

This was initialled C. A. H„ and in tho same handwriting was added: "Please let mo have this letter 'back when I am in Sheffield." This injunction, said Sir. Richard Muir, was evidently not obeyed, for the memorandum referred to was found in Sir Joseph's possession, The next document after tho receipt of this memorandum, somo two months later, proved that Sir. Joseph must have been in receipt of some application for information about Vickers's works. That would appear from tho following document, dated November S, ISI3. It was typewritten, and at the top were tho letters T. E. B. It Tead:—

"Reports for Mr. C. A. Vornon Hahn dictated by Sir Joseph Jonas. Your father gave mo once, a slip of paper which you sent in about Vickers's rifle works. .1 handed the paper back to your father, and I dare Gay he then destroyed it." Questions About Vickers's Works. Counsel broke oil' the reading to remark that it appeared that liy some meaus tho document had been handed back to Vernon's father. The document continued "It is important that I should lmve tho following information strictly private at your earliest convenience. What is the size of the new rifle works of Vickers's? Where are thoy situated? llow many rifles do they propose to make a day, how many men do they employ,' and where can yon get to know whether they have any orders from abroad, or perhaps from pur Government? Your information will, of course,' be treated strictly private. ' , '

"Possibly your friend can give you informal ion, .which please post to me privately." '

That memorandum was undoubtedly dictated by Sir Joseph in consequenco of a letter received by him, the original of which was found in ljis possession, and at tho top of which was tho printed heading "P. von Gontard." with a Berlin address, dated November G, 1913. It ran "Dear Sir Joseph,—l shall shortlyl bo Bending you the information you desire. I shall bo grateful to you if you lot me know tho approximate area of the new* rifle factory at Vickers's about which you wrote in your last letter, where is the factory situated, and how many workers dees it employ. ' Has it already received orders from abroad? Jly best thanks in advance, and kind regards from your sincerely, Gontard." Counsel point out that Jonas haying got the' information contained in tho memorandum of September 8, and some additional information upon tho same subject, had written to von Gontard in Berlin, and had received this letter asking for further information. In reply to Sir Joseph's memorandum of November 8, Vernon Halm (the defendant) wrote on November 10, 1913. a letter upon the stationery of Jonas and Colver, Ltd. Tho letter ran:— "Dear Sir Joseph,—l have to-day received your letter of the Bth with referoncc to Messrs. Victors, Limited. Tho works referred to are in Cravford, in Kent, and were formerly the -works of the Wolsley Tool and Motor-car Company. Ido not know what the size of the works is now, but the works were a good size, and I understand ..lint lately they have been increasel.v probably ten times. Other things in addition ln'riP"s are to be made there, an important ono being a new patent: gear which might possibly revolutionise tho gear parts of cars. I have no knowledge of how many , rifles they are laying themselves out for or what orders (hey may kavo or expect.

"The number, of men employed I .cannot stale, but it must he. very considerable. For some time, T learn, they were leceiving certain machines at the rate of ten a.'day, machines specially adapted- for rifles. My friend is Mr. 'J?. Zieschang. formerly in the employ of tho Wilkinson Sword Factory. "It will be the middle or next week before I can get hold of him again, as he is away in Coventry. Tie is in cliargc of the tool-room— Yours truly, "Chas. Vernon Halm.'"* j\s showing the accuracy of the information it was,right to say,that at tlia't time Tickers Company were manfacturing a new kind of gear to be used in the steering of His Majesty's shins. That letter was acknowledged by Sir Joseph Jonas on November 11. Tlicro was found in the possession of Sir Joseph a press copy of a letter dated November 11, 1013, stating: "Dear Mr. Halin,—Thanks for your letter of yesterday with the information T asked you to be good enough lo get for me, and please try to get the remainder of tha information as soon as yni> >„unvementiy can." A Letter in German. On tho same day Sir Joseph .wrote n. letter in Gorman in his own handwriting to von Goulard. A press copy was found, and a translation of the letter was as follows:— "Dear Mr. von Goulard,—ln ronscquencc of your letter of'the oth inst. I ascertained the following concerning the riflo fadfcory, Next week I shall know more." The letter went on to five information about rifles which were «aid to bo made

there, and also a pal Lent gear. It acMeiri "Olio cannot find«Sout how many rifles are being made, -but day by day about ten maoliines are being delivered for the manufacture of rifles. 1 shall find out inoro next week. The obtaining ot information litis proved itself very difficult,"

Pursuant to his promiso, Mr. Vernon Halin wrote a further letter to Sir Joseph dated November 20, IUJ3, md marked 'private."

"Dear Sir Joseph,—l received yoivr letter of the 11th. I have been hoping to hear from my friend eo that 1 could writo to you. So far I havo had no news, so he must still bo away. As soon as 1 know he is back I shall make an appointment with him." That letter was answerei by Sir Joseph next day It read:

"Dear Sir. Alfred,—Thauk you for yoiw letter. . I shall be glad if you can arrange for posting news about Vickers's doings in small, arms. lam pressed for the information."

This, said counsel, showed that the letters between Jonas and Goulard were of a highly confidential character. In another letter J.o Gontard Sir Joseph mqde references to Vickers and Eowntree having lost about .£IOO,OOO in the matter of new works, adding: "I know still more about the proposed steelworks." In a letter marked "private" Vernon wrote: "Dear Sir Joseph,—With reference to your letter, 1 am at last oblo to give you a little more ireliable information about the works at Crayford, which when erected will cover from 11 to 15 acres. In addition to 50 draughtsmen there are 500 employees at present. Soon after Christmas "they anticipate giving employment to not less than 4000. They have spent ,£BO,OOO on machinery, which has been installed. They have a very elal> orate system of machine tools installed, I think, to produce rifles with the automalic process. I am told in confidence that the latest British rifles will bo manufactured at; a price not exceeding .£1 (one pound) each. They are also manufacturing, I understand, 200 flying machines. They are also interested in variable speed gear." Counsel declared that tho letters proved that letters were exchanged between Sheffield and. Berlin, and in the view of tho War Office the information ill them would be of use to an enemy He submitted that both <3efeadants rere guilty of conspiracy, and that Sir Joseph clearly incited Vernon. > A Development. Louis Spencer, manager of tho Bank Street, Sheffield, branch of iho London City and Midland Bank, said that Sir Joseph banked there, as did tho firm ot Jonas, Colver, and Co. He knew the handwriting of Jonas and Vernon. Sir R. D. Muir: Did you know the late Karl Auguste Halm? The witness (with surprise): Is he dead ? Sir Richard: Ido not know. I understand that 'he is. Perhaps I. may have been misinformed. Anyhow, he was a director of the firm?—" Yes." The witness identified Halm s handwriting on several documents. Mr. Arthur Bolton (Home Office) produced tho naturalisation papers of Karl Auguste Hahn, father of Vernon, who was born in Rheinische, Prussia. Mr. Tindal Atkinson said that the father was not. charged with conspiracy, and the evidence regarding him could not be brought. against the son. Sir Richard Muir: My information was that the father was dead, but in view of what has been said to-day the form of the charge will havo to be reconsidered. Apart from that it shows tho nationality of Vernon. Mr. Hyntly Jenkins: He was born m England. ~ , Sergeant Otto Albern said that he searchpd Siv Joseph's rosidenco and found n number of printed envelopes addressed to von Gontard, and a list of words and ■names on a tvped document. The words included "von Gontard," "Mauser, and "Rifles." ' ... John Thomas Pennati, assistant manager in tho labour department at Messrs. Vickcrs's, said /jioschang was employed by that firm. He knew that Zicschaug had formerlv been in the employ of a .firm the managing director of which, was named Kischbon. Sir R. Muir read extracts from Vernon's letter, and the witness 6jud that, speaking generally, the statements made therein were accurate, 'but as to the value of the machinery it,was proposed to have installed soon after Christmas and as to the number of men to bo employed the figures were exaggerated. It was not Correct to say that they were 'manufacturing 200 flying machines witn engines of 200 'h.p. They had at thot time the plans of the new rifle, which we.ro Iceot in the drawing office. /.iceeliang was engaged in the manufacture of the rifle- pntterns, and would havo access to tho plans for gnidnnce in his work. , As cabled a few days ago, tho ex-Lord Mayor was fined .C2OOO.