SOVIET SPY SYSTEM.

Dunstan Times, Issue 3378, 13 June 1927, Page 8

SOVIET SPY SYSTEM.

PEKING RAID DISCLOSURES

SHANGHAI, May 11. . The North China Daily News published 18 columns of most sensational translations of documents discovered in the Soviet Embassy at Peking, and two pages of photographs. The original documents were written in Russian. The translations reveal a most intricate spy system on behalf of the Embassy, which, the documents conclusively prove, was the cnief source through which passed instructions to Russian agents in South China. Telegrams to M. Borodin, Russian adviser to the Nationalist Government —who claims that lie has no official connection with Moscow —show that the Soviet Government actually wrote to him through the Embassy, ordering him to go slow on the Communist phase of the” Chinese revolution, because it might at present quicken the split in the Kliomintang, and also tend to stir up Japan, which country, the Legation ordered, should be pacified because of the ease with which she was able to send troops. A typical telegram is from the Soviet mlitary attache to the Peking Embassy, to M. Borodin, dated August 27, 192 G. It says: “There are .1,300,000 Russian cartridges, 200,000 Japanese cartridges and B’2oo shells for 3-inch guns concentrated at Vladivostock, while within a week wo will have a further 7,000,000 German cartridges and 8000 shells for 3-inch mountain guns, which must be paid for on delivery. Communicate immediately about the situation on the Kiangsf-Fukien border, and also about secession to the Nationalists of certain Northern units.” Other telegrams reveal that the Soviet kept a tally' on every gun and round of ammunition sent to the Cantonese. Frequently ,M. Borodin was ordered to supply details of how they were dispersed. There arc frequent demands for immediate payment, or at least payment of part of the account, while occasionally M. Borodin writes complaining that the cargoes ol arms were so many short, according to the Soviet invoices. One most amazing document, showing the organisation for the employment of spies at other legations, is that giving official instructions to Soviet agents engaged in hiring spies : “When enlisting employees at, the Japanese, American and British Legations, you must pay particular attention to the follojying subjects: Firstly, the man yon enlist as a spy must not only be of some service to ns, but must be in touch with the people dealing with the most secret and most important work of the Legations, such as the head of the Legation, the military attache, secretaries, etc., etc.; or he must lie the translator, typist, or office hoy, in touch with secret documents. Secondly, yon must be certain that he is not a traitor to ns, and that his reports are reliable. Thirdly, he must not know that he works for the Russian Legation. Make him believe he works for some political party in China. Fourthly, he must discover where secret and confidential documents are kept, and find means and ways to steal or copy some of these, remembering that for such work we will pay a special premium, besides the regular salary.” An agreement signed by Yuan Tso, one of the Chinese spies arrested in the raid, since guaranteed, states the Soviet’s terms for his work of engaging spies:— “(1) You stay at Peking. (2) Hereafter you must get into touch with Chinese employed at the Japanese, Ihiglish andi American Legations, and enlist for our work those who will be useful spies (3) Your salary is 40 dollars (£4) a month. (4) For each man vou enlist after lie has proved useful you will get a. premium of 50 dollars (£5). (o) If you agree to these conditions, sign your name.” Some of the documents were partially burned, and the North China DailyNews leaves blanks, ..showing the Chinese authorities’ meticulous accuracy.

The originals of the documents and photographs are being displayed on the Bund.