A SPY OF THE TCHEKA

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 54, 1 September 1926, Page 9

A SPY OF THE TCHEKA

ESTHONIAN MINISTER'S

DOWNFALL

SELLS DOCUMENTS TO SOVIET.

(United Ptesa Association.-^-Copyright.) (Sydney Sua Cable.) LONDON, 30th August. The "Daily News' " Berlin correspondent reports that an extraordinary diplomatic scandal, in a which a beautiful Soviet spy is supposed to have played the most important part, is agitating the countries bordering on Bussia. The other actor in the affair is Herr Birk, recently Esthonian Minister at Moscow. Formerly a model diplomat, strongly opposed to Communism, Herr Birk carriod out delicate missions successfully until ..he. fell into the clutches of the Tcheka, through a pretty typist employed at the Legation, who was the Tchelca's most dangerous spy. The latter persuaded Birk to show her secret documents. Having taken the first step on the downward path, Birk was soon under tho Soviet's thumb.

Esthonian newspapers allego that Birk sold a hundred important documents to the Soviet., Birk is now identified with the most aggressive Bolshevik propaganda. He wrote to the newspaper "Isvcstia" denouncing the Esthonian Government for plotting with Latvia and Poland against the Soviet, and declaring that it was an enemy of the people and was scheming for the downfall of Moscow patriots. Esthonia summarily dismissed Birk and instituted an investigation.