THE SPY SYSTEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 February 1920, Page 2

THE SPY SYSTEM.

BRITISH WAR EXPERIENCE. FOILED GERMANS. (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright; (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, February 5. The “Morning Post” gives an interesting record of Germany’s spy system and the British spunter organisation, which was so effective by the summer of 1915, that seven spies were taken in one fortnight, thus paralysing Germany’s schemes to re-establish the spy system in Britain. A feather in the cap of the organisation was the capture of the Dutchmen Janssen and Roos. Suspicion was aroused -by numerous telegrams from naval ports to the Hague, apparently ordering cigars. This was considered remarkable as sailors are not in the habit of smoking cigars. So the senders were arrested and Janssen and ■Roos were examined, when they claimed to he travellers on behalf of Dierks Coy of Hague. When examined, Janssen and Roos gave a contradictory explanation. The prosecution showed that Dierks address was the same as the German Secret Service in Holland. Next day Roos endeavoured to suicide by cutting his manacled wrists with tlie broken glass of the door. The cigar code was found to refer to naval secrets, Havanas meaning light cruiser, and S. Coronas, battleships.

Janssen and Roos were convicted and shot at the miniature rifle langu in the Tower. They faced the firing parties bravely. Neutrals in Holland and elsewhere thus learned that the espionage mission to England was most difficult Henfoi-ward Germany onlv sent v casual spies, who pretended to be commercial travellers, who tried to get away before their movements aroused suspicions.