Arrest as Spy “A Terrible Blunder

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 167, 16 July 1937, Page 3

Arrest as Spy “A Terrible Blunder

DEPORTED GERMAN TELLS ' REPORTER "I SHALL RETURN" . ■ Otto Karl Ludwig is back in Germany, minus the documents which led to his detention m Brixton Prison under tho Official Secrets Act. Tho charge was subsequently withdrawn. 1 travelled w'ith him in the steamer from Harwich (writes a Daily Sketch reporter). Until he reached tho port be was under a close guard of Special J Branch men. On their advice he kept the door of his cabin locked until the steamer was well out in tho North c3ea. He was shaving several days' growth from his chin when eventually he admitted me. His nervousness lasted throughout the sea journey, but once on the other side he became easier in mind. Ho told mo he was not angry about his arrest. He would, he added, one day return to England. “It has been a terriblo mistake," he said. <‘But 1 do not blamo the English War Office. England does right to exercise vigilance over foreigners,, "All the same, L am no spy. Hitler doesn’t take the ‘lightest interest in me, most likely doesn’t yet know of my existence. "1 am just a merchant, a dealer in machines. Because 1 have to travel I have acquired a knowledge of five languages, but, unfortunately, English is not among them. "That made it all the more difficult to explain my position. "Your War Office has kept the documents which started tho trouble, but 1 am not worried. 1 "1 would like to say that I was' treated very well m Brixton prison, where I was allowed to have my own food. "I should call Brixton a very good prison, so 1 am going back to Germany without a grumble. "I shall tell my friends at home that it has been a blunder, but that English justice leaves no room for complaintIt is real justice."