THE NAVAL “BAEDEKER’

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 48, 7 February 1911, Page 9

THE NAVAL “BAEDEKER’

BRITISH SPIES ON TRIAL.

SECRETS OF THE GERMAN

COAST.

London. T )< ccmber Not inly are Captain Trench, R.M.L.1., and Lieutenant Brandon acknowledged spies .seeking information for the British Admiralty, but they did their work so well that, according to an expert of the German Admiralty staff, the British fleet could have effected a landing on the basis of their data. This officer is full of admiration of the work the two intrepid Englishmen did, and time after time he complimented them on the accuracy of their information and plans.

This expert said the information regarding the fortifications at Brunsbuttel was of small value, as any vessel passing could see them. But the notes he found as to the length and width ««i the landing stages and depth of water at Sylt. Amrum. and other islands, were, he said, undoubtedly military information. intended to faciliate a landing. This view he based on the British Admiralty landing regulations. English warships had nevei been there in time of peace, and there could be no object in compiling notes of this kind. Therefore the notes could only be intended for use in time of war. Captain Taegert proceeded by means of a chart to explain his views at length. In landing operations. Sylt. he said, was of prime import ance as a “point d’appui” and th» landing stages on the island had been measured and photographed in great detail by the accused, who had also procured picture post cards. They had, moreover, noted the fallow's which they found while bathing. The measurements were rot merely estimated, but were actually taken.

The position of the searchlights at Kiel was asked for in the notes. This, it was explained by Captain Taegert, was an important point, as a raiding fleet would know from tae position of the searchlights whence to expect the first shots from the land. In addition to thi searchlights, the position of th< howitzer battery was also marked on the map. and tVere were also sketches of I riedrichsort and Cux haven. There were photographs of the fortifications at the later place, and sketches of particular batteries with their strength. A certain howitzer battery had been explored with particular accuracy, and there were also estimates of the arcs of fire and distances. There were close descriptions of the searchlight position and con struction of shelter works. From a dyke the angles were taken from two churches on the mainland, anti the position of the fortifications entered on the map in accordance with these observations. Captain Taegert stated that he had exam ined the measurements and found them extraordinarily accurate. On the sketches dealing with Heligoland, the oiiiek-firing battery was marked with measurements of the distances of some of the gun positions from one another The distances from extremities of the batteries to the lighthouse were also measured. Captain Taegert complimented the accused officers on the skill with which they used the sextant in determining the position of a battery with reference to the permanent land marks, such as church towers.

The prisoners were sentenced to four yeartf in a fortress. The Chief lustice announced that the tribunal agree I unanimously with the view of the Attorney-General, who had re•ommended the Court not to enforce the paragraph of the criminal -ode providing for penal servitude. The Court upheld the defences •ontenthm that none of these se•rets bad been actually communi•ated to England. The Englishmen received the verdict without a tremoitr. Scores of •icople looked in their direction, with lhe idea that some trace of miotion might be discerned. The ;elf control and manly bearing vuich had distinguished the prisuiers from the moment they enter’d the <lock di<i not desert then). Their faces remained absolutely unmohile as the terms of the sen- j cure fell solemnly from the lips of he patriarchial Chief Justice amid i r.o’em’Fsilence. The judge who md presided oxer the pn-liminarv ’tpiiiry stood, forward ami bade Icm good-bye. and they spent .am? time in smiling conversation j .-ith tin it co-.imcl before being led: n tv l>v their j

In Germany. d<?tvnt'.<»n in a tort . ss is regarded as au altogether ’..mimd form of punishment. It is reposed upon political offenders imJ military officers convicted of I eiliug. It invo’t \s r.o disgrace.

: d affords considerable personal iherty. The British otikors will be diowed to roam at will within the oi iress walls, to furni.-L their own ooms and supply their own food,

and to consider the pursuit of such studies as they choose. They are even at liberty, by special permission of the Commandant, to leave the fortress and visit, unaccompanied. the town in which the fortress is located, on giving their parole, as gentlemen and officers, not to attempt to escape, and on promising to return to their quarters with in a specified time.