MOSCOW TRIALS

Hokitika Guardian, 13 April 1933, Page 6

MOSCOW TRIALS

MACDONALD’S PLEA OF GUILTY

ASTOUNDING REVELATIONS

(United Pi’eiss Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.)

(Received April 13 at 12.5 p.m.) MOSCOW, April 12.

Entering the cornt'without greeting his MacDonald, bearde;!,' hollow eyed find haggard, stood up in the deck and pleaded guilty in the) Russian phrase “I recognise.” Tiie Russian prisoner, Gusev, head of the electrical station, secured the entire attention of the court, when lie said: “I started counter revolutionary work when I met Metro Vickcv.s’ employees. MacDonald suggested . I should supply ‘information regarding militarily valuable plant.”

MacDonald, answering the prosecutor, Vi shin sky, admitted he and Gusev were friends in 1930. He added that he sought the information in lii s own interest-.

Gusev answering Visin'nsky’s staccato queries, confessed wrecking machinery,, and obtaining secret information. He declared MacDonald had co-opera-ted in his placing of metal in machinery at Zlatoust.

“Yes, that's true,” answered MacDonald,. in reply to Yisliinslty. Gusev proceeding, .said lie was paid only 750 roubles monthly. MacDonald, gave him more. MacDonald gave evidence as to gifts amounting to 3500 roubles, b.ut declared his ignorance of. sabotage in order to slow down the machinery at Zlatoust.

Gusev added that MacDonald recommended Thornton .as the .source of information. .