Cigars and Warships.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume X, Issue 46, 6 February 1920, Page 5

Cigars and Warships.

SIMPLE LOOKING TELEGRAMS HUN SPIeFdOWNFALL. SMART WORK BY BRITISH. (By Cable.—Prera Awociation.— Copyright.) London, Feb. 5. The “Morning t’ost” gives an interesting record of Germany’s spy system and Britain’s counterespionage organisation, which was so effective by the summer of 1915, that seven spies were taken in one fortnight, thus paralysing tierw any’e schemes to re-estab'lish her spy system in Britain. A feather in the cap of the British organisation was the capture of two Dutchman, Jansen and Roos. Suspicions were aroused by numerous telegrams from nava] ports to the Hague, apparently ordering cigars. This was considered remarkable as sailors were not in the habit of smoking cigars, so the senders were arrested. Jansen and Roos were examined, when they claimed to be travellers on behalf of Dierk’s of the Hague. WEen examined Jansen and Koos gave contradictory explanations. Inquiries shewed that Dierk’s address was the same as the German Secret Service in Holland. Next day Roos endeavoured to commit suicide by cutting his manacled wrists with the broken glass of a door. The cigar code was found to refer to naval secrets, Havanas meaning light cruisers and Coronas battleships. Jansen and Roos were convicted and shot at the miniature rifle range at the Tower. They faced the firing parties bravely. Neutrals in Holland and. elsewhere thus learned that espionage mission to England"was' most difficult. Thenceforward Germany only sent casual spies, who pretended to be commercial travellers, and tried to get away before their movements aroused suspicion.—(A. and N. Z.)