GERMANY’S BEST SPY

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 October 1926, Page 5

GERMANY’S BEST SPY

TRICKS AT FELIXSTOWE. GREAT SCHEME THAT FAILED. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association). (By Cable—Press Assn.—Copyright.)

LONDON. Oct. 8.

There is a romantic story of how Leiebrand’s plans were defeated at ui last minute by Air Woodmancy, a councillor of Felixstowe Municipality, who with friends watched Leiebrand for years. r riie municipality was about to liana over to Leiebrand control of the electric light and power, and also authorise him to build a light railway, Wlien Woodmancy denounced Leiebrand as a spV produced the proofs that lie, himself, aikd his friends had gathered. Leiebrand previously questioned re garding firing “1 am independent of moneybags.-” _ He suggested that a? prdifltnent Anglican should accompany him to Germany for proof of this statement. Leiebrand was always flush with money, especially after several weeks absence. He repeatedly and lavishly entertained naval officers at Felixstowe. He had two telephones in tin. house, and always placed a guard ovbt one when using the other. He transformed the library into a secret room, to which liis wife and servants were not admitted. He ran his own secret service.

The “Evening News” says: “Leiebrand was possibly Germany’s cleverest spy ; that is the official opinion. He claimed to be the son of a Bavarian prince, but was brought up by a jeweller residing at Speyer. He was presumably sent to Britain before the war to develop East Anglia for a German landing base. Leiebrand’s seized correspondence emphasised that East Anglia was the best scope for raiders, because the canals, estuaries, and agricultural hinterland invited attack, owing to the distance from Aidershot and Salisbury Plain, and its having only one line of railway, necessitating weeks before serious resistance was possible. Meanwhile, the Germans would be able to make Harwich and Felixstowe into a second Hamburg, with an advanced base at Colchester. Felixstowe was especially favourable owing 1o the depth of water, enabling the close approach of transports and covering fleet.”