ALLEGED BRITISH SPIES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 10 September 1927, Page 5

ALLEGED BRITISH SPIES.

TRIAL IN LENINGRAD. CONFESSIONS OBTAINED BY TORTURE. *Y CABLE— PRESB ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT LONDON, Sept. 9. The Riga corespondent of the “Daily Mail” states that despite careful stage management., the trial of the 26 alleged British spies in Russia is attracting little attention, according to Leningiad newspapers, which report that the population is more concerned by recently instituted ration cards for .broad, flour, sugar, petroleum, tea and other necessities.

Most of the evidence is based on the defendants’ alleged confessions, many of whom wore imprisoned and tortured for months before they (Consented to sign statements admitting writing political reports for a British naval officer Bcvce, to whom they were transmitted through the Finnish Consulate. The tortures by the secret police have driven many prisoners insane. Gibers, believing in the inquisitors’ promise of lenience, often sign documents which later prove their death warrants.

A Dutchman, Huver, the Bolshevik’s star witness, a former Tsarist officer alleges that Boyce forwarded funds to blow up several destroyers in the 'Soviet Baltic fleet. The testimony of other witnesses was equally ridiculous. Persons attending the trial, remark on the white faces and cowed demeanour of the prisoners.