VAST NETWORK

Hokitika Guardian, 25 November 1933, Page 6

VAST NETWORK

SPY ORGANISATIONS IN LONDON

WIDE-SPREAD ACTIVITY,

PARIS, November 20.

•'Spy-hunting promises to become a popular §]>ort in the near future. Most European nations are suffei'ig from war fears while London is honeycombed with branches of organisations which are outlawed in their own countries, and harbours a small army of men and women seeking to . discover military and naval secrets. ,

They are constantly being detected in their' nefarious activities, and deported without public action being taken.-

Nearly every European capital has been excited lately bye the. discovery of people engaged in. espionage.. Since France completed her eastern frontier line of fortifications, dozens of foreigners the majority of them German fanatics, have been captured when wandering about with tiny cameras,’ studyig the whole terrain. As a result, suspicious characters are now arrested on sight, and are not released until they proved their bona tides. •' '■ "

In most instances,, tbe most capable trained military; men have staffs of spies, who appear to be quiet, worthy citizens, Pr oafish peasants. Always - they understand that their country .Will not do anything to help them inutile event of their detention.

The most dramatic recent case was that of n -young Frenchman who, during lii’s term of compulsory service, photographed the French Alpine fortifications and sold them to Italians at. Turin'for 20,000' lire.

Afterwards ho sought admission to tbe French counter-espionage service, which was granted. This enabled Paiis finally to convict him of selling to adjoining countries false information, which was purposely placed in ills possession.