Great Britain

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 16, 19 May 1915, Page 5

Great Britain

ALLEGED SPitS ON TRIAL. OPENING THE CASE. United Pees# association. (Received 8.45 a.m.) London, May IS. The trial has opened, before the Lord Chief Justice and Justices Avory and Hush at the Old Bailey, of Kuepferli, the alleged spy. Sir John Simon. Attorney-General, for the prosecution, said accused left New York on 4th February as a third-class passenger in the Arabic, representing himself as an American, lie arrived at Liverpool on the 14th. Muller and Hahn will be tried separately. Cable news on 10th April stated: The Lord Chief Justice will shortly try three alleged spies named Kuepferli, Muller, and Hahn. The men are charged with communicating in invisible ink military information to various addreses on the Continent. They are believed to have been acting in concert. Muller claims to be a British subject. Hahn came from Germany, and Kuepferli from America. The military authorities have already taken evidence regarding the alleged ‘spies Kuepferli, Muller and Hahn. It was decided to refer the cases to the civil Courts, probably to Lord Reading, the Lord Chief Justice, to try. Kuepferli’s case is of grave importance. He arrived from America, and was shadowed till he arrived in a London hotel. It is alleged that all worked in conjunction, using similar methods.

The New York Sun’s London correspondent states that Kuepferli’s arrest reveals that New York was the centre of a German spy system against Britain. Kuepferli’s movements were carefully mapped out before he,left New York, ami lie accomplished bis mission in Britain in five days, though be had never been in Britain before. ,

UNPALATABLE MESSAGE. THE NEED OF AMMUNITION. WORKERS IDLING THEIR TIME. I'iMKa and Sydney Sun Bkbvios. (Received 8.0 a.m.) London, May 18. Tbe Times’ Glasgow correspondent says: “I have a very unpalatable message to give the public concerning the production of munitions in the north. Only after hesitation, and after consultation with responsible persons, have 1 decided to write. If there was a prospect of improvement I would not speak, but tbe strong force of public opinion is needed. The north country is living in a fool’s paradise, and so, 1 believe, is the Government too. The chief cause of the position is the attitude of certain sections of organised labour. An impression prevails that the trades union has relaxed its rules, limiting the work. On an urgent appeal, the Government said it was doing its best to deliver the ogods. This is correct in some cases, but in others they are unrelaxed, the men working far below the capacity of it. There is deliberate manipulation of the piece-workers, who drag out their work, taking double the time, although earning double and triple their ordinary pay. The men are not only idling, but prevent others from working. The engineers are the worst. This affects most of the ammunition shops where an increased output was most urgent. In many a shop i have seen the machines idle and the men standing alongside. If a hand was laid on the machine, all the engineers would come out. It is obvious if these conditions extend, that tire factories will be useless. It is fighting a suffocating gas manufactured at home.”

TAKING IKE PLEDGE. * SOBER MEN OF GLASGOW. (Received 8.55 a.m.) London, May IS. In Glasgow 170,000 total abstinence pledges have been taken for the period of the war, being one sixth of the population. HIGH COMMISSIONER’S REPORT The High Commissioner reports, London, 18th May, (11.50 a.m.): — The whole district oast of tho Rivers Windava and Doubissa was evacuated by the enemy on Monday. The Germans, who for several days have been endeavouring to assume offensive against Shavli, were repulsed on Friday with great loss. West of Xieman on Saturday also a. series of engagements took place favourable to the Russians. On Friday and Saturday on the San there were engagements in district of Legaknofg Jaroslav, south of Przemysl. / but the enemy only established contact with Russia cavalry by mounted patrols. On the Truth engagements favourably to Russians, continued on Friday, the Russians having reached certain points on Delaty Kolohea railway. London. 18th May, 4.80 p.m.:— Belgium—The Germans left on the ground about 2000 dead and great numbers of rifles. The French have consolidated their positions recently taken during the night. The Germans attempted a particularly violent counter-attack, but after bombard-

incut bv guns and bombs were repulsed. On the road from Aix Noulette to Pouchez. the French, by their fire, slopped dead two German counter-at-tacks. In a night action the French have taken a group of houses near tlie cemetery at Ablnin. On all the front north of Arras an artillery combat continues day and night, tbe Germans being particularly set ou bombarding A mis. SHIPPING. (Received 9.25 a.m.) London. May IS. The Dorset lias sailed for Auckland. HIGH COMMISSIONER’S REPORT ! London, May 18. The High Commisisoner reports:— In Belgium the enemy, threatened by recent successful attacks with complete envelopment, evacuated positions on Sunday night on West of tbe Ypres canal. The Allies maintain their gains on tbe east bank. i North of La Basse the British victoriously continued to fight, and on Monday carried several German trenches, the enemy’s losses being very heavy. Seven hundred were exterminated by the cross-fire of artillery and mitrailleuse and a thousand prisoners ’were taken. CASUALTIES. (Received 1.40 p.m.) Loudon, May 18. Army officers killed 50, wounded 40, missing 9, men killed 108, wounded 8.‘12: missing 17, naval officers killed 3, wounded 3. Dardanelles naval men killed 48, wounded 220. missing 24. MANUFACTURE OF ARMAMENTS. (Received 11.25 a.m.) 1 London, May 18. Sir W. Harcourt in the House of Commons, said the Government heartily appreciated the offer of New Zealand mechanics to assist in the manufacture of munitions, but in view of the distance and the- uncertainty regarding distance and the difficulties of ascertaining the exact degree of skill, it was impossible to arrange for transport to Britain. No doubt, if qualified workers, or highly skilled classes of engineering and ship yards labour came here, and were prepared to accept the British standard wages, they would readily be placed in employment in manufacturing armaments.