RED WARTIME SPY RING STOLE JAPAN’S TOP SECRETS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22868, 11 February 1949, Page 5

RED WARTIME SPY RING STOLE JAPAN’S TOP SECRETS

(N.Z.P.A. —Reuter —Copyright.) (10.30 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Feb. 10. The operations of a Soviet spy ring that stole Japan’s top secrets and helped Russia to turn the tide of war against Germany were disclosed yesterday by the American Army.

if- Led by a renegade German, Dr. Richard Sorge, the Communist network flashed to Moscow in 1941 that Hitler’s armies would attack Russia. It also tipped Moscow that Japan did not intend to attack the Soviet but, instead, would move mouth, thus enabling Marshal Stalin to rush Soviet reinforcements from Siberia and crush the German assault on Moscow. Two of the spy ring’s leaders were hanged, and five died in prison but the others were released when American troops entered Tokyo and may still be plying their trades in the world capitals. Under Noses of Secret Police The ring operated under the noses of Japan’s secret police, boldly filched documents from the German Embassy in Tokyo and transmitted them by clandestine radio to Moscow. An American Army report says it was the most successful and most unusual Communist espionage circuit anywhere in the world and Dr. Sorge’s machinations made the famous Canadian espionage case seem like an amateur show. The spy ring was finally betrayed by a woman ana by a Japanese male Communist. Through no error of the master agents themselves, the man, Ito Ritsu, described as “an unwitting Judas,” in the ring's discovery, is now one of Japan’s top Red leaders, but it was the woman, Mrs. Kitabayashi, who was the weak link and broke the strong chain that led to the hanging of Dr. Sorge and his top lieutenant, Ozaki Hozumi. The' Toyko police smashed the ring in October 1941 when Ritsu was arrested on suspicion of secret Communist activities and promptly informed on Mrs. Kitabayashi. Women Member Talked The report said that Ito thought that Mrs. Kitabayashi had turned away from communism and he hoped to enlist police aid for the punishment of a party traitor. There was no evidence that he had any real reason to think of her as a spy. Mrs. Kitabayashi talked and because _ the spy ring had failed to establish a warning system—lts only slip—the leaders were quickly rounded up and flung into prison. Dr. Sorge’s chief aide, Ozaki Hozumi had risen to become unofficial adviser to the Japanese Cabinet under the Prime Minister, Prince Konoye. Dr. Sorge, posing as a Nazi journalist. had close and friendly ties with both the German Ambassadors MajorGeneral Eugen Ott and with the German Gestapo chief in Tokyo, Colonel Joseph Meisinger who later became notorious as the "Beast of Warsaw.” Neither the Germans nor Japanese ever had the remotest suspicion of Dr. Sorge or any of his gang of 16 men and women until the final break-up in 1941. Lessons, a Warning The report said: “Though the work of Dr. Sorge and his companions belongs to history, the lessons of their work should serve as a clear warning toda}'. The Soviets seem able, to use men as _ agents who either are not Communist Party members at all or who hold party cards on which the signatures are scarcely dry. . “The previous interests and pre.mdices of the man concerned rather than formal party allegiance seems to be far more important in determining his selection.”

The reDort emphasised that while the spy ring dug up data of incalculable value, it cost Russia less than 10(10 dollars monthly to operate. Dr. Some and his agents worked for “love of the cause’’ and not, for money. They received only enough to cover living and travel costs. Aiiiiiiii!iii!nit>inii!imiifflnniiiiiHiiit!iininnnniimnqniinn>mnniniunii!iinnßiinniinnniinn