A GERMAN SPY.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 November 1919, Page 5

A GERMAN SPY.

HIS SCHEMES IN AUSTRALIA".

PLOT OF AN INVASION. '< SECRET PRESS SEIZED. ; J - By Telegraph.—Press Assa.-^Copyright. Received Nov. 2, 5.5 p.m. Sydney, Nov. 2. Two Germans were sentenced at Brisbane on a charge of stealing military documents. The Sydney Sun states that one of the accused is an ex-member of the A.1.F., and had, while in tho Military Intelligence Department discovered a plot for a German invasion of Australia, which he disclosed to the authorities. Accused pleaded that (he took the papers by mistake, and intended replacing them. His disclosures led to the arrest of a notorious spy, who passed under the name of Ronald Graham Gordon during his remarkable carear in various parts of the world, including confidential work for Lord Roberts for a time in the South African war.

It is alleged that Gordon was employed «as a courier by a German, and was in Australia on an important Imperial mission. He took a prominent part in a number of patriotic movements, and was on friendly terms with many leading citizens. • Papers were seized at his house, some being hidden in what was apparently a pianola, but, in reality, a secret press. They included letters from German 1 correspondents and letters of credit on German banks, signed by the High Chancellor.

Gordon declined to give any information regarding his identity or papers, and is being deported.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.