THORNTON'S ORDEAL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 88, 15 April 1933, Page 7

THORNTON'S ORDEAL.

Under Examination About

Four Hours.

FIRM DENIAL GIVEN.

(British Official Wireless.)

(Received 12 noon.) RUGBY, April 14.

Thornton was under examination yesterday for about four hours. The prosecution again put to him the allegation of systematic espionage through subordinates, "which he firmly denied. Apart from interest in general information Thornton admitted his interest in information hearing on the Soviet Government's solvency in view of the large credits advanced to them by his firm. The prosecutor was understood to show surprise and to suggest that these admissions tallied with their accusations. The third witness called to-day was Lobanov. Like the other Russian accused who have pleaded guilty, he described his anti-Soviet views as being taken advantage of by one of the Metropolitan Vickers' employees—in this case Nordwall—with whom he worked at Ivgres. He described at length the wrecking of works, which he alleged he had undertaken on Nordwall's instruction, and for which ho said he had received- 5000 roubles from Nordwall, as well as a fur coat. Nordwall. completely denied everything that Lobanov had said, pointing out that he had in fact attempted to dissuade Lobanov from his anti-Soviet views. He explained the transaction involving the fur coat as taking place through a third party to whom it belonged, an English fitter, who was paid ■fo* it by Lobanov. He added: "I think that anyone would have done the same in my place." The examination, of Lobanov was then cpntinued. It was led by the prosecution" to obtain reaffirmations by him of KorjUwali's supposed anti-Soviet views, and-alleged plan for machine wrecking. The rest of the morning session was occupied with tlio examination of Lebedev, another of the Russian accused, who is claimed by the prosecution to have Participated with Lobanov in the wrecking -organisation at Ivgres, acting under instructions.