PLOT TO INVADE AUSTRALIA.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 November 1919, Page 4

PLOT TO INVADE AUSTRALIA.

CURIOUS DISCOVERY IN BRISBANE. SYDNEY, Nov. 5. An extraordinary story of German .spy activities has been told in the 'course of court proceedings in Brisbane. The plot, which might 1 have been 'taken redhot from a Le Queux novel; is about as follows: — Tlie German Consul; in Brisbane at the beginning of' the war was a person of prominence and importance, and his wife was a. charming" Australian lady, 'and’lie was allowed a certain amount of liberty. But suspicion fastened on him, the authorities pounced; and papers were found in- his possession which indicated that he was at least cognisant of’ a far-fetched but perfectly serious scheme for the invasion of Australia- Hfe was interned,’ and the papers were lodged in the Intelligence Branch of the Defence Office.

The next chapter shows the wife of the German'Consul 1 being approached by a well-known 1 Brisbane solicitor' with' a strongly Teutonic name. He let it be known that' he had possession' of ’those very compromising papers, and he would not part with them for a consideration. The lady cleverly stayed ’him off, and forthwith took train' to Melbourne and laid the position before the Minister- for Defence. Her motives are not to be questioned. It is known that she is anxious that her husband should’ be leniently treated, and that sue should’not be forced’to go to Germany with liim: The- sequel came promptly. Tlie solicitor with G erman forebears was arrested, and the papers recovered' from him. The next chapter shows the authorities seeking for the means by which the papers got from the Defence Office to the solicitor. Ultimately a private named Johannes Adrianas Tilanns was arrested'and chargee] with' theft. Ihe verdict was guilty; and a term of two •years was imposed.' The 1 sentence, however, was suspended. Tilanns, it appears, had been most valuable to the Defence people during the war. He was acquainted with the plottings and machinations of the Germans in Australia during the war, and he told the Defence officers. Ultimately, however, ihe succumbed! to:a. temptation to feather his own tnest.

Details-of the plot to- invade Australia are,-not: known. But it was well advanced ' about the middle period. of the war. A limited number: of enemy troops were to land in'Australia from enormous submarines, and play havoc. The submarines did not materialise,however.