The Feilding Star, Oroua & Kiwitea Counties Gazette. Published Daily. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1895. RUSSIAN ESPIONAGE.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 119, 18 November 1895, Page 2

The Feilding Star, Oroua & Kiwitea Counties Gazette. Published Daily. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1895. RUSSIAN ESPIONAGE.

«. That Russia, takes a lively interest in the possessions of the British Empire in the South Seas is well known, but few persons are aware of its extent. We have it on the authority of Mr Freyberg that Baron de Berg, formerly Secretary to the Russian Embassy in London, not very long ago travelled from north to south of New Zealand incognito as Mr Berg, and during his journey collected a mass of informatiou which would be of the utmost value to his Government. No possible objection can be raised to any gentleman visiting the colony in the pursuit of knowledge, but when that knowledge may be used as a weapon against us, it is a moot point as to whether or not our hospitality bas been abused. Our informant further stated that the soundings of every harbor, or inlet, where a ship can enter, have been trken and sent to Russia. The Russian Government does not trust to guide books, or Admiralty charts, but send their own experts to do the work for themselves. When the charts thus prepared are submitted to the authorities they are sometimes compared with the English charts, but those of their own men are always accepted as the most accurate when any discrepancy exists. The plan adopted for getting the soundings is yery simple. The operator hires a boat and goes a-fishing with tbe most profitable results as far as he and his main object are concerned. We do not know that under existing laws this sort of thiug could be stopped, but whether or not it is too late now. All the harm, so far, has been dope, and all that the colony can do is to be on the alert iv case of " European disturbances " breaking out.