THE BATTLESHIP PLOT

Hokitika Guardian, 27 January 1925, Page 3

THE BATTLESHIP PLOT

LATEST CABLE NEWS

ESPIONAGE TIM A I/. [Reoters TeLF.OKAMS.] (Received iliis day at, 11.25 a.rn.) LONDON, January 26. O’Leary and AlcGough, mentioned on January 19th., were renin ruled, at JJow Street till to-morrow. Travers Humphreys-, prosecuting, announced that during Admiral Hotham’s evidence he would ask evidence to he heard privately on the ground that it.s publication would prejudice the national safety. He stated 2 letters were found on McGough, One bore tho stamp of the Irish Republican army number seven areas, Britain, dated 14th. January, and was headed ‘'lntelligence Department,” addressed to the Intelligence Officer, Britain. It related to experiments in lla.slar dock and aboard a warship, and also contained statements relating to important secret matters which it would be prejudicial to the national safety. The other letter was a, similar communication from Number one area, 1.11. A., 'dated lltli. 'January. The documents were found in O’Leary’s room, Portsmouth, showing O'Leary was the writer of the first letter which was sent to McCough under cover, via a woman living in London, who appealed to act as a sort of post office for these people. Rear Admiral Hotliam gave evidence that tho publication of the statement in the letter in regard to a naval experimental tank at Tfaslnr, would prejudice the national safety. Mark Payne (Superintendent of the Admiralty Experimental Works at Haslar) said the statements in the letter in regard to secret experiments during 1921 were substantially accurate.