SPYING FOR THE ENEMY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 147, 21 June 1918, Page 2

SPYING FOR THE ENEMY.

TRANSMITTING ARMAMENT SECRETS. I , LONDON, June 20. The prosecuting counsel in the ease in wliich Sir Joseph Jonas is charged with giving information to the enemy stated that correspondence revealed that Jonas and Vernon, his accomplice, had been supplying information concerning Messrs. Vickers Maxim's new armament works at Sheffield to a Berlin armament firm. Vernon was the son of a naturalised German named Hahn, who was connected with the Jonas firm until 1917. Vernon changed his name after the outbreak of war. The police had fonnd documents showing that Jonas was corresponding witli yon Gontard, a Berlin citizen connected with a German armament firm. They had also found' correspondence with Ziesehang, the English-born son of German parents, who was foreman of the Vickers works at Crayford, where Vickers were establishing a large plant for the manufacture of a new model rifle. Vernon, in April, 1913, informed Jonas that certain German works hoped to supply small arms to the British Government on a large scale. Jonas, in November, 1913, instructed Vernon to ascertain the details of the new Vickers rifle and the capacity of the plant. The request obviously arose from a letter from yon Gontard, dated two days earlier, requesting .Tonus to obtain this information. — (A. and N.Z. Cable.) (Kcceivecl 3.4-5 a.m.) '

LONDON, June 20. Mr Muir, the prosecuting counsel, continuing his address, stated that Vernon replied that he knew Ziesehang, who could supply the information. Vernon at the same time gave certain information. Jonas next wrote to Vernon asking him to hnrry. Vernon replied giving much important information, which apparently was conveyed to yon Contard.— (A. and N.Z. Cable.)