NAZI AGENTS ABROAD.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 140, 14 May 1940, Page 6

NAZI AGENTS ABROAD.

The ramifications of the Nazi espionage system have again been amply demonstrated in Holland amt The growth of the philosophy in Germany encouraged the .formation of Nazi groups in Continental States, and particularly where people of German descent could be found, or where sympathy might be shown for the Reich. Denmark is an outstanding example of the penetration of Nazism, though it was not until the elections of last year that the Danish Nazi Party had three members in Parliament. But for some years past unrest has been sedulously fostered in South Jutland. Norway, too, has a Nazi organisation and sympathisers with Germany who Contributed to some extent to the ready success of Hitler last month. But inside that State was a considerable spy organisation which worked in collaboration with these Nazi sympathisers to Norway’s defeat. Cable messages from Holland and Belgium tell a somewhat similar story. .Both these countries have been sedulously prepared for the events now taking place, but Hitler has not found in either the profitable field he anticipated. This no doubt was due to the energetic measures taken by each Government just before Hitler marched. But even so Nazi agents' have been most active and men long given the hospitality of Dutch or Belgians have been discovered in these grave days to be spies for Germany. One glaring case concerns a German attache accorded diplomatic immunity, who was discovered in possession of Dutch defence plans. And when lie was ignominously sent back to Germany the Fuehrer expressed his astonishment that such a thing was possible—probably he meant the discovery of the traitor. Moreover, the invaders have been discovered in Allied uniforms in violation of The Hague rules. Nazi agents are working, there is good cause to believe, in many parts of tlie Empire. Certainly they are in Britain where more stringent precautions are being taken, and Germany’s knowledge of military movements in New Zealand indicates they are here. In the national interests they must be placed where they can do no mischief.