SOVIET TRIAL

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 104, 13 April 1933, Page 5

SOVIET TRIAL

OUTLINE OF CHARGES ALLEGED BRIBERY AND ESPIONAGE. CASE NOW UNDER WAY. By Telegraph—Press Assn—Copyright. (Received 13, 10.35 a.m.) MOSCOW, April 12. A sample of the charges against the Vickers’ engineers is as follows: — Guesev, head of the electricity stwfton at Zlatoust, alleges that MacDonald gave him money to collect information dealing with military production at Zlatoust. The indictment quotes MacDonald’s deposition as admitting that he did so under instructions from Thornton, which included more vaguely “organised breakdowns.” MacDonald is alleged to have been under tho impression that Thornton was acting in the interests of Britain. Guesev gives details of the wrecking acts performed, allegedly on MacDonald’s instructions, for the purpose of lowering the production of shells and high-quality steel. The indictment credits Thornton with admitting that he instructed MacDonald, but denying receiving military or secret information. CHARGE AGAINST MONKHOUSE. The charge against Monkhouse reads: “Between 1927 and 1932 when working in Russia as Vickers’ chief representative, he belonged to a counter-revolutionary group and collected, through subordinate English and Russian engineers and technicians, secret information of military and State importance; participated in counter-revolutionary groups wrecking diversional activities; systematically paid money for espionage and systematically bribed and abetted Russian engineers to conceal defects in equipment erected by Vickers’.” The charges against the others vary in detail but are similar in principle. MacDonald pleaded guilty; the others pleaded not guilty. RUSSIAN PRISONER’S EVIDENCE. (Received 13, 12.40 p.m.) MOSCOW, April 12. Entering the Court without greeting his comrades, Macdonald, bearded, hol-low-eyed and haggard, stood up in the dock and pleaded guilty in the Russian phrase, “1 recognise.” The Russian prisoner Gusev, head of the electrical station, secured the entire attention of the Court when he said: “I started counter-revolutionary work when 1 met the Metro-Vickers employees. Macdonald suggested that I should supply information regarding militarily valuable plant.” Macdonald, answering the Prosecutor, M. Vishinsky, admitted that he and Gusev were friends in 1930. He added that he sought information in his own interest. Gusev, answering M. Vishinsky’s staccatto queries, confessed to wrecking machinery and obtaining secret information. He declared that Macdonald had co-operated in his placing metal in the machinery at Zlatoust. .“Yes: that’s true,” answered Macdonald in reply to M. Vishinsky. Gusev, proceeding said he was paid only 750 rouble? a month but Macdonald gave him more. Macdonald gave evidence as to gifts amounting to 3500 roubles, but declared his ignorance of sabotage in order to slow down machinery at Zlatoust, Gusev added that Macdonald recommended Thornton as a source of information. Macdonald admitted writing to Gusev about the firm’s business. INTENSELY DRAMATIC. Proceedings were intensely dramatic after the dinner adjournment. Mr Turner sat with the British attaches and the nine other lawyers were seated elsewhere, Gusev, after four hours’ evidence, trembling with emotion and nervousness, admitted all the accusations. He said that Macdonald lived a higher life than the other engineers and added: “If my life is spared I will reform and become a good Soviet citizen.” Thornton, in the course of his evidence, admitted meeting Gusev and Macdonald at a station buffet in the Urals but was not aware that there was any espionage. His interest in gathering information was purely com. niercial. He gave Macdonald 2000 roubles therefore. Asked why ho admitted cognisance of espionage on March 15, according to the depositions, Thornton replied that he was nervous though the third degree was not employed. The Court adjourned until to-mor-row, all the prisoners leaving together. They were not fatigued, except Macdonald, whose statements caused mingled jubilation and apprehension in interested circles. BRITISH CABINET READY TO BE CONVENED. (Received 13, 12.55 p.m.) LONDON, April 12. Owing to the urgency of the Russian situation practically the whole of Cabinet is remaining in readiness to be convened during the holidays. At todav’s meeting it was arranged for Mr Baldwin to call Ministers immediately the trial concludes, if necessary, to consider the position. FOUR HUNDRED ATTEND COURT (British Official Wireless.) (Received 13, 12.30 p.m.) RUGBY, April 12. Some 400 people were present at tho Moscow trial. It was noticeable that the slogans emblazoned on cotton streamers, which usually adorn Soviet Courts, were absent. The Englishmen and the 12 Russians accused with them all sat together, the two Englishmen on whom the prosecution sets the greatest store. MacDonald and Thornton, being marshalled as far as possible from their four companions, Monkhouse, Cushny, Gregory and Nordwell, who occupied the back row. The evidence which the prosecution advanced in the indictment consists almost exclusively of depositions of tliu Russian accused’and the deposition of MacDonald, who has not been allowed out on hail and has, during the last four weeks, been in prison without being allowed to receive advice or discuss his case with anyone except the Prosecutor or his own State paid Soviet counsel. Ihe evidence containing direct insinuations of the guilt of the accused,

apart from that which was secured from the accused themselves, consists of some extracts from the findings of the Soviet State Commission and the testimony of two Russians. One of the latter gave part of his evidence in prison, while the evidence of the other consists of a statement to the effect ; tiat he immediately handed to the Ogpu the money he received from Thornton. All but one of the Russians pleaded guilty and McDonald, who was interrogated first of the Englishmen (out of his order in the list of accused) also pleaded guilty. A further session of the Court was held this evening, but the report of the proceedings has not yet been received. SOVIET CYNICISM. (Received 13, 10.55 a.m.) Moscow, April 12. The official newspaper, “Izvestia,” says: “These barbarians, destroyers of machinery and enemies of technical development will bo tried without fear of threats and the verdict will be enforced despite protests and baitings.” The newspaper describes British Conservative newspapers protests as “the voice of a naive, soft-hearted old ladysquealing about the fate of her little saboteurs and spies.” BRITISH LABOUR AND TRADE AGREEMENT. (Received 13, 10.45 a.m.) LONDON, April 12. Members of the last Labour Cabinet, excepting the present Nationalists, have asked Mr. MacDonald to extend the Russian trade agreement for three months to permit of a better atmosphere for renewal of friendship with Russia. They state that this would possibly serve the Vickers employees better than threats, would not prejudge the trial and would preserve a basis of employment for thousands of British workmen.