THE SPY CATCHERS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 276, 18 May 1917, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE SPY CATCHERS.

Closely all'ed to the Intelligence Services ot the Navy and Army is the spe ial branch of the Criminal Invent i-gat-'on Department at Scotland Yard. If. activities before the war were considerable —unobtrusively guarding great persons, keep'ng an eye 011 anarchists, and dealing with the suffragette movement. But tho war lias made it at. once the centre for counteracting the (ierman spy men a •(•. and many men who have stood blindfolded before a tiring party in the Tower ditch at eirlv dawn have had cause to curse its ceaseless vigilance. So perfe* t was its organisation r t t ie outbreak of war that it was immed'ately able to send a detachment to France while the remainder speedily unearthed the tingled schemes of enemy .spies in England. The special branch was originally established to deal with Fenianisni 'n England. and for manv years was composed entirely of Irishmen —indeed, up to the outbreak of war it was still largely staffed bv men from tho Emerald Isle. Few m'Mi know more of what niav be called the criminal «ide of high politics than its veteran chief, Mr. Patrick Quinn, M.V.0.. himself an Irishman. Thou'rh tlv» work of himself and his men lias been done largely in silence, it has contrbuted in ng small measure to tho safety of trio Empire.