WHY THORNTON CONFESSED

Evening Star, Issue 21505, 1 September 1933, Page 1

WHY THORNTON CONFESSED

TO SAVE A WOMAN HONOUR OF MADAME KUTUSOVA. Mr Leslie Thornton and Mr William MacDonald, the two British engineers released from Russia, called at the Foreign Office recently to see the chief of the department dealing with Russian ji if The’ ‘Daily Express’ understands that Metro-Vickcrs are making moves to obtain the release of Mine Kutusova, tho beautiful and courageous confidential secretary of the company in Moscow. , , . . , She was arrested and stood trial at the same time as the English engineers, and is now serving her five years sentence. The fact is not realised m this country that Mmo Kutusova was one of nineteen women clerical employees ot Metro-Vickers, all of whom were arrested and imprisoned at the same time as the engineers. PRINCIPAL FIGURE.

Mmo Kutusova, however, was the principal figure among them, and worked under the most confidential conditions with the engineers Her trial took place at tho same time as the British subjects. The other women prisoners were tried separately, resulting in a conviction for eight ot them. The mystery of Thornton’s confession has never been solved. It was a most voluminous and completely damning document. When the details of it were transmitted to London his associates here were absolutely staggered. It is believed now, however, that Mine Kutusova supplies the key to the mystery. , Thornton was confronted with Her and she was in such a pitiable state of terror that it is now believed that his confession was made for the sole purpose of saving her as far ns he could. Subsequently in court Thornton repudiated his confession, in spite ot which he was sentenced. Mine Kutusova, who is 40 years of age, holds a unique place in tho respect and affection of her employers. Tho engineers trusted her as a confidential colleague. SHE WAS TRUSTED.

Tho wives of the engineers trusted her as the companion of their husbands. Her entire conduct throughout the trial indicated that she had been faithful to every trust. The prosecutor continuously accused

Mine Kutusova of improper relations with the British engineers. He said she was an undignified, conscienceless, and pleasure-seeking woman who sold herself for money. She contradicted the prosecutor most daringly in her speech of self-defence. “ Nobodv can sav I sold myself,” she declared. “ Anna Surgeyevna Kutusova cannot be bought with motor ears, perfume, lipstick, and powder. I have used, and will continue to use, these as an auxiliary moans to improve my appearance. “ But I have worked honestly and well for Metro-Vickers.”