OFFICIAL PLANS STOLEN?

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22319, 5 February 1938, Page 15

OFFICIAL PLANS STOLEN?

FOUR MEN CHARGED IN LONDON SECRET DOCUMENTS SAID TO BE PHOTOGRAPHED CONTACT MADE WITH CERTAIN FOREIGN POWER UTWITID PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT.) (Received February 4, 12.45 p.m.) LONDON, February 3. A dramatic story was unfolded in the Bow Street Court, where Percy Glading, aged 45. and Albert Williams, aged 39 years, also George Whomack and Walter Munday, were all charged under the Official Secrets Act, concerning the obtaining of four blue-prints which were likely to be useful to an enemy. The prosecution stated that Giading was' prepared to act the traitor for personal gain, and he had persuaded the other three to break their duty and allegiance to the Crown and bring from the Woolwich Arsenal secret documents in order to photograph them. Whomack was an assistant foreman in the gun section of the Department of Naval Ordnance, Munday was an assistant chemist, and Williams was an examiner in the Armaments Office. All worked at the Woolwich Arsenal, where Glading was once employed. The prosecution suggested that Glading had made contact with a foreign Power, but his plans were foiled by a certain Miss X, who, under instructions from the Intelligence Department of the War Office, joined the Friends of the Soviet in 1931, and became a typist to the “Anti-War Movement.” Miss X made contact with Glading in 1934. Glading, in February, 1937, introduced a man called Peters, described as an Austrian, also a foreigner named Stevens. He and his wife both spoke French. Glading asked Miss X to give up her job and learn photography. He agreed to pay her £5 a week, after which a large plan was brought to his flat and she photographed it, taking the identification numbers for the War Office. Watchers followed Mrs Stevens taking away the plan and saw her meet Whomack. who otherwise was not concerned in the case.

The plan related to the newest type of 14-inch naval gun, the importance of which was known to another Power.

The authorities later shadowed Gladine and saw him hand papers to Munday. A search of Glading’s flat disclosed photographic plates and memoranda of aircraft designs, also very secret negatives implicaing Williams. The prints of an antitank pistol were also discovered. Glading and Williams were arrested at Charing Cross, where Williams handed over parcels which were found to contain the blue-prints. Miss X, a tall, slim, and pretty blonde, gave evidence tearing out the prosecution’s case. The accused were remanded till February 7. Bail was refused. The police said that although Glading had no passport, he could easily reach a certain country.