RARE PROCEDURE

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 255, 18 January 1928, Page 1

RARE PROCEDURE

SPY TRIAL PROCEEDS IN CAMERA STATE SECRETS INVOLVED British Wireless—Press Assn. —Copyright Reed. 11.32 a.m. RUGBY, Tuesday. The trial of McCartney and the German student Hansen, on charges of espionage, was continued at the Central Criminal Court to-day. Extraordinary precautions to obtain absolute secrecy were taken. For nearly two hours the evidence was heard in camera. This procedure, which is very rare in British criminal trials, is sanctioned by a judge only for for reasons of State. The decision to close the court to the public was reached after the evidence given by Major-General Conham Carter, Director of Staff Duties at the War Office. He emphasises the necessity of not publishing the statements of four witnesses, and the documents which were exhibited to the Judge, jury, and counsel. The documents included a questionnaire dealing with the plana of the Air Force, which had been translated from Russian. The Attorney-General, who Is prosecuting, stated that this document could only have been composed by a group of persons familiar with their subject, such as the war staff of a foreign Power. Another document submitted in camera was a report on British tank corps manoeuvres, alleged to have been written by McCartney.—A. and N.Z. CASES ADJOURNED SECRET DOCUMENTS SHOWN By Coble.—Press Association. — Copyright. Reed. 11.20 a.m. LONDON, Tuesday. In order to prevent disclosures prejudicial to the safety of Britain, the McCartney-Hansen spy case was heard for two hours in camera. The secret documents/shown to the jury included a questionnaire dealing with an Air Force book found in McCartney’s room, containing a report of the tank corps, in his handwriting. A typist gave evidence of typing for McCartney, whom she knew as Johnson or Hudson, matter regarding airships. It was stated in evidence that McCartney held a passport in the name of Hudson. McCartney denied foreknowledge of the Arcos raid, or receiving secret books from Monkland, or using the name of Hudson. Sit Douglas Hogg, Attorney-General, asked McCartney to write a sentence containing the word "complete.” McCartney spelt it "complat," like the same word in the questionnaire. He asserted that Scotland Yard Superintendents Parker and Mcßride told him that he would be indemnified and given money if he gave all the information against Hansen and Arcos, Ltd. Both the accused admitted convictions, Hansen for a political offence in Germany.

The cases were adjourned.—A. and N.Z.Sun.