BANK-NOTE FORGERIES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 35, 11 January 1926, Page 7

BANK-NOTE FORGERIES.

PLANNED BY GERMANY DURING WAR. MORE ARRESTS MADE. LONDON, Jan. 9.. The Daily Telegraph’s diplomatic correspondent says that, during tho lato war, certain German and AustroGerman State departments conceived tho idea that France’s currency might be destroyed by the wholesale printing of forged notes. Plates wore actually mado and when the armistice ensued tho plates mysteriously disappeared. Tho T rench secret service later became convinced that tho plates were hidden in Hungary, the Government of which was requested to search, but reported that no traco could be found of them. Thero tho matter was left, but the belief is widely held in competent quarters that tho plates aro identical with those used by the Hungarian forgers. Disclosures in comieotion_ with the forgeries show that about 25,000 notes of a lace value of 1000 francs each were printed, and most of them taken abroad, scaled in double-bottom •trunks, by special messengers, who were protected by diplomatic passports and alleged visas. Tho trunks were provided by order of tho chief of police, M. Niulossy. So far there have been 23 arrests and others aro expected. . Reuter’s Budapest correspondent says that the arrests include Hajts, tho former chief, and five employees of tho Carthograpliical Institute. Giving evidence at the police inquiry tho Roman Catholic Bishop Stefan Adravccz admitted that ho knew th© objects inspiring the iorgeries, but disassociated himself therefrom directly he discovered the means proposed to bo adopted.—Reuter. MACHINERY FROM GERMANY. SOLD AS SCRAP IRON. BUDAPEST, Jan. 9. Tho polico state that a German firm supplied Windiscligraetz with printing machinery which was intended for the note issue of a certain bank, but it was found unsuitable, and was sold as scrap iron to iron merchants, from whom it was acquired by the conspirators. Tho paper on which tho notes were printed also was purchased in Germany by an employee of Wmdiscligraetz, alter failure of attempts to reproduce tho water-marks oil paper purchased elsewhere. Herr Geroe, technical manager of the Cartographical Institute, where lithographic dies had been discoveicu, says Windiscligraetz told him that his refusal to co-operate would bo equivalent to treason, and guaranteed nun immunity in case of discovery, naming high protectors, __ including M. Nadossy. —A. and N.Z. cable.

FRENCH GOVERNMENT ACTIVE.

POLICE OFFICERS FOR HUNGARY.

PARIS, Jan. 9. M. Briand had a conference with M. Clinchent, the French Munster to Hungary, who lias returned in order to report. According to tho Matin, M. Clinchent stated that Wmdiseh-•n-aetz imported twenty Russian punters, ox-employees of tho lotrogiad mint, in order to print the notes. More French police officers aro departing for Hungary.—A. and IN-A-cable. CZECHO-SLOVAKIA’S ACTION. LEAGUE INQUIRY DESIRED. Received January 11, 9.13 a.m. LONDON, Jau. 10. Tho Sunday Times states that CccliQ-Slovakia has approached the other Little Entento Powers with the view of'a joint suggestion to tbc League of Nations to undertake an inquiry into the political motives behind tho Hungarian iorgeries.—A. and N.Z. cable and Reutci.