SPY HUNT IN U.S.

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22435, 23 June 1938, Page 11

S PY HUNT IN U.S.

Chief Investigator Resigns will write for newspaper plotters Branded As Inept (PirrrßD press association—copyright.) i (Received June 22, 11 p.m.) / NEW YORK, June 21. The United States espionage inquiry produced another mild sensation to-day with the announcement bv Mr Leon Turrou, the special sgent, of the Federal Investigation Bureau, that he was resigning his position to write his experiences for a newspaper. Coming in the midst of the Grand Jury investigation, before the accused are brought to trial, this has disturbed officials. Mr Turrou was (he chief investigator and worked almost single-handed. Delay will be caused while his successor familiarises himself with the ramifications of the case. Mr Turrou’s reason for his action was overwork and the need to increase his income. This has been accepted by the department, which paid a tribute to his work. He will be available as a Government witness. None of the material witnesses held in the case has been eliminated or freed. This is significant, inasmuch as six are officers or members of the crews of German ships, including two captains, a political commissar, and a radio officer. Dr. Greibl’s Actions The “New York Times” comments on the extraordinary fact that Dr. Ignatio Greibl, one of the chief witnesses, was never guarded to prevent his flight. Since yesterday’s indictment it has been indicated that the authorities are aware of several suspicious actions by Dr. Greibl. One charge shows that he previously went to Germany, allegedly on espionage business. Another says he conferred with Captain-Lieuten-ant von Bonin and Captain-Lieu-tenant Menzel on the counterespionage duty of the German War Ministry at the Hotel Eden in Berlin on June 7, 1937. Another alleges that he arranged a rendezvous with Captain-Lieutenant Pfeiffer, the head of the German Secret Service, at the Astoria Club, Bremen, on June 23. 1937.

In a leading article the “New York Times” urges the fact that there is no occasion for public hysteria rr a spy scare. It states that the operatives concerned were rbally extraordinarily inept plotters and obtained little of value. It adds: ‘Though doubtless Germany is anxious to share the Un,ited States’ advance in defence ’ technique, especially in aviation, much of the information gained,could have been elicited by a courteous letter. Yet this stealthy prying into our affairs is mischievous and annoying. If the trial justifies the charges the whole affair should be cleaned up promptly.” . The “Herald-Tribune” says: “The investigations are now being concentrated on the persons and organisations responsible for the flight of the defendants and material witnesses who fled the country. This includes two large steamship lines and several executives of those lines.”

The four German spy suspects, Hofmann, Rumrich, Glaser, and Voss, will be arraigned to-morrow.