Ogpu Arrests Britishers

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 7105, 14 March 1933, Page 7

Ogpu Arrests Britishers

Offices and Houses Ransacked

NEW ZEALANDER AMONG PRISONERS

United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright Received Monday, 10.30 p.m, LONDON, Mar. 13.

The Metropolitan Vickers Electrical Company is anxiously awaiting news oi tho Ogpu’s unexplained arrest at Moscow oi four of their principal representatives, Messrs. Alan Monkhouse, W. H. Thornton, John Cushy aud W. H. Macdonald, who went to Russia uuder agreement as technical advisers in connection with tho manufacture of the electrical plant. An unnamed Latvian and four Russians, namely, two typists and two chauffeurs, were also arrested.

Tho Vickers business offices in Moscow were raided and papers were seized. Mr. Monkkocso's dwelling was also raided and ransacked for live hours, even tho mattresses being ripped. Mr. Thornton's dwelling next door was then searched. Vickers' general manager at Manchester (Mr. George Bailey) says he is certain none of the four men have done anything contrary to Russian policy. Measures are being taken to safeguard the men's and the company’s interests. Tho British Foreign Office is investigating. The Daily Express says the Moscow raids on Metropolitan-Vickers are inexplicable. The foreign business colony in Moscow is in a state of high alarm. Vickers and its employers have hitherto stood in the highest repute in Russia. Mr. Monkhousp was born in New Zealand and he is a nephew of tho dramatist, Allan Monkhouse.

Russan Peasant Leaders Shot

By Ogpu

SABOTAGING- AGRICULTURE Times Cable Received Monday, 9.0 p.m. LONDON, Mar. 13. The Times’ Riga correspondent says that tho Ogpu shot, after investigation but without trial, 35 peasant official? allegedly responsible for catastrophic losses in tractors and machinery in order to sabotage the agricultural programme and reduce Russia to starvation. Twenty-two wero sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment, and 18 to eight years. The majority belong to the Ukraine and the North. Caucasus, where the Soviet is intensifying its terrorism and warning recalcitrants that further sentences will be imposed unless preparations for sowing improve.