DIPLOMAT’S DOWNFALL

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 1 September 1926, Page 5

DIPLOMAT’S DOWNFALL

INFLUENCE OF A PRETTY SPY

BY CABLE— PEESS ASSOCIATION —COPYIICSHT LONDON, Aug. 30. The Daily News’ Berlin correspondent reports that an extraordinary diplomatic scandal, in which a beautiful Soviet spy; is supposed to _ have played' a most important part, is agitating the countries bordering on Russia. . The other actor in the affair is Herr Birk, recently Esthoniani Minister at Moscow.

He was formerly a model diplomat and strongly . opposed to Communism. He carried out some delicate missions successfully until he fell into the clutches .of the Cheka through a pretty typist ennoloyed at the Legation who was the Cheka’s most dangerous spy. She persuaded Herr Birk to show her secret documents and, having taken the first step on the downward path, he was soon 'under the Soviet’s thumb.

Esthonian newspapers allege that Herr Birk sold 100 important dlocuments to the Soviet. He is now identified with the most aggressive ' Bolshevik propaganda, and wrote to the newspaper * Isvestia denouncing the Esthonian Government for plotting with Latvia and Poland against' the Soviet. He declared it was an enemy of the people and was scheming for the downfall of Moscow patriots. The Esthonia authorities summarily dismissed Herr Birk and instituted an investigation into the matter.