ROOM 40 O.B.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 October 1932, Page 6

ROOM 40 0.8.

IT’S AVAR WORK. - LONDON,, ■ September 26. \ How the secret German message announcing - unrestricted' submarinewartare was intercepted by the British? is described by Mr Hugli Gleland Hoy in his-book, “49/0.8., or How- the AVar Was AVon.” '

In “room 40, building/’ for which “40/B.O.” stands, Sir Alfred Ewing, tiiis year's president of the British Association for: tlx?. Advancement, of Science, and ■ hig- staff/ deciphered : iff the greatest' secrecy German code messages snatched from the ether. Even members of the Cabinet know nothing about' “40/0.8.’5” work, says Mr Hoy, who claims that it was thb disclosure of the plan for unrestricted submarine warfare which was the decisive factor in America’s decision to enter the war. The decoding of the rest of the message, he says taxed the ingenuity of the greatest cipher experts. Finally it was discovered that it meant that Germany proposed an alliance with Mexico in the event of war with Atnoricii.

Room 40/0.8. secured warning of the great attack on Verdun from an American, who learnt the plans from a German at an official dinner at Warsaw.. Publication, of Mr Hoy’s, book was delayed for four months at the request of the Admiralty', in order that certain alterations and excisions could he made.