CHARGES OF ESPIONAGE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 62, 4 September 1911, Page 5

CHARGES OF ESPIONAGE

THE SCITI'LTZ CASE. By Ciililc—Press Association —Copyright. London. September 1. Urgent stops are being taken at Southampton to secure the immediate trial of Max Schultz, the Southampton shipbroker. who was arrested at Hamburg in March last on a charge of espionage. He is at present being visited daily by an examining magistrate. Schultz. who is prepared to call many British witnesses to prove his innocence. bears the same name as the German recently arrested at Plymouth on a charge of espionage. Several suspected foreign spies at Harrow are being watched. GUARDING THE .MAGAZINES. London. September 1. Owing to the spy scare, extra precautions are being laken to guard the Government magazine at Southampton. AN" <);■'!•'loHit's EKE AK. HI!EARS INTO AMMUNITION" MAGAZINE. Received .'i. ."i.j p.m. London. September 3. The Portsmouth News states that the strengthening of the guard at Southampton magazine was the outcome of an English ollicer's wager that he would enter the magazine in the vicinity of Chatham and remain long enough to arrange for an explosion. He succeeded in his purpose, after gagging a sentry. Espionage is a feature of modern times, ami a verv significant, one. A century ago, the nations used to watch each other's movements; but now they watch each other's preparations, for whereas in the former case only fitness in the lield was considered, nowadays fitness before entering the field is a matter of anxiety, and the highest national wisdom U to be completely acquainted with the resources of all potential foes. Germany and England are the chief potential enemies of each other; therefore, while England sends over its unacknowledged spies. Germany sends its Sch'.iltz. At one time the role of spv was despicable: now it is heroic. Circumstances alter sentiments as well as cases. There is something weird about it. Two nations very much akin (and certainly entertaining no racial or religious hatred for one another) are watching each other with cat-like vigilance. It is i|iiite a matter of cold calculation. Lnrke's words have indeed been verified: "The age of chivalry is pasf, and that of cold calculators has succeeded." So far is humanity retreating from its old ideals, that it is nr-ing up an altogether new standard of life. When it lias come to this pass, that one nation is systeaniatically spying upon the other's resources, an explosion canr.ot be far off. Germany docs not apprehend an assault by England—but England most plainly expects an assault by (ie.nmaiy. The tension thus caused must produce war sooner or later —and the longer it is delayed the more will it he dreaded. The intense anxietv with which each is watching the other is evident from the continuance of the spy system. The one or two men who were caught are not the only national agents at work, we may be sure. Neither Power will, of course, "own up'' if one of its agents is caught, but these occasional captures give us a glimpse of the deadiiness and determination of our rivals, and of our own Government's realisation of that deadiiness.—Exchange.