EX-M.P. AS SPY.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 24 August 1915, Page 3

EX-M.P. AS SPY.

* 'REVELATIONS" IN NEW YOlUv

New York World has begun the publication of the "Revelations of 1. T. T. Lincoln, former member oi Parliament who became a German spy."

The writer, Ignatius Timothy Tribich Lincoln, was Liberal member for Darlington from January, ISJIO to December of that year, and has in his time played many parts, having been born a Hungarian Jew and later figured as a 'Presbyterian missionary and an Anglican priest. His story must be rather painful reading in Darlington, and suggests the ease Avith. which a plausible impostor can impose upon an unsuspecting constituency.

According to Lincoln's statement to the New York newspaper he determined to "get even" with his adopted country because of its "persecution" of aliens after the outbreak of war. The method of "getting even" is tlnus described:—"The plan i mapped out was nothing less than the decision to find out important military and naval secrets and to betray them to the Central Powers, and having achieved that to quit England for over—if still alive."

Lincoln says that he first of all secured a post as a censor of Hungarian correspondence, but hnding. ho assurer his American reader, that "appeals of Hungary lor l(ed Cross aid from the United States were intercepted and destroyed'' lie resigned. Then he tried to become a Secret Service Agent, and laid before an official of the War Office a scheme which if it Had succeeded woukl have "lured" part of the British fleet into the North Sea, there to lie destroyed by the German fleet awaiting it. But the otticial was not to he tricked. In Lincoln's own words "1 wae balked." Lincoln tlien went to Rotterdam and declares that lie succeeded in obtaining possession ot two German codes wnicii lie communicated to Captain Kenny, in return lor which he hoped to get information of value to Germany. No such intormation was given lnni. At last, having good reason to fear that his motives were suspected, he lied to America, where ho is in process of unbosoming iiimself.

In Reynold's .Newspaper 6\v Henry Dalziel, -M. P., gives an account of efforts made by Lincoln to secure his influence with the Uritisli authorities. Sir Henry listened to ins story and had a conversation with Mr LUacpher■soii; .\l. P., who was at tlie War Office, on the subject, but the authorities showed no disposition to accede to Lincoln'b inipoitunity and grant him certain facilities he desired. Sir Henry formed the opinion that Lincoln was hard pressed lor money. He says:—

".My own belief is that in order to make money he did undertake the visit to Rotterdam, and succeeded in inveigling himself into the confidence of the German Secret Service. When lie found that his services were not to be taken advantage of by the authorities here he recognized that his betrayal of the Germans made it impossible for liini to go back to Germany or Austria without the risk of being shot. Ho departed., therefore, for the United States almost the only place left for him to go to with safety, to endeavour to pick up some dollars and to win tho favour of the Germans in that country tliis end in view he flas published hk so-called "confessions' —which have doubtless, brought him tlie much-need-ed money —his other idea being, if possible, to rehabilitate himself with the German authorities, although 1 should say there is very little chance of this happening, because it is obvious that they themselves have recognized by this time that they wore very cleverly duped."