FULL CONFESSION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 25 May 1936, Page 5

FULL CONFESSION

DUMDUM CONSPIRACY HENRY LAWRENCE’S STORY LET DOWN BY ITALIAN EMBASSY (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, 23rd May. “I am three personalities but only one man,” said Henry Lawrence Bernstein, flinging wide his arms to accentuate his words when making a full confession regarding his activities to the “News Chronicle.” Bernstein, who changed his name to Lawrence during the war, is the Colonel Lopez of the dumdum bullet intrigue, and was charged by Mr Anthony Eden in the House of Commons with collecting for Italy false evidence of the supply by British firms of dumdum bullets to Abyssinia.

While talking to the “NewsChronicle” in the early hours of the morning Lawrence stood in a halfopen doorway, clad only in a white night-shirt, and glanced frequently along the deserted street as if afraid of what lurked there. His forehead was covered with perspiration despite the chilly night. A woman’s voice from the darkness screamed: “Tell them the authorities have sworn you to secrecy.” A hectic cross-examination, however, broke down his reserve and the .confession poured out tumultuously, as though relieving himself. “I was Mezler and Lopez,” he said. “What I did in connection with the dumdum bullets was done from purely patriotic motives, not from personal gain or greed. The authorities know everything, and time will reveal that I am the most patriotic man in the country. My idea in obtaining dumdum bullets was to compare them with others in order to reveal that those found in Abyssinia were not British. The War Office authorities were satisfied with my explanations.” The “News-Chronicle” suggested that Lawrence might be charged with treason. He laughed nervously and declared: “The authorities would not have returned my passport if they contemplated arresting me.” As though it'seemed to give him confidence, he went on hotly to repudiate that he was ever connected with the Zinoviev letter, adding: “I have not seen Mr MacDonald except in the pictures.” WIFE’S STORY Lawrence’s wife, a young blonde, grey-eyed woman, full of charm but utterly weary, took up the story. She said the strain was frightful; she had not slept for four nights. “My husband has always been a patriot,” she said. “He went to South Africa at an early age and was always ready for any adventure. 1-Ie was imprisoned as the result of participation in the Jameson Raid, but when the Boer War broke out he immediately joined the colours and was awarded two medals. After the Boer War he twice visited South America as representative of a big mining firm and learnt Spanish, which is the only foreign language he speaks. He has had a most adventurous career, but has not financially benefited. We have been married for twenty years and never had any money. We opened a shop at Bournemouth in 1933 but lost our money. My husband learned a great deal about weapons while employed by big British armament manufacturers; All through the episode of the dumdum bullets he worked in the closest conjunction with the Italian Embassy, which employed him. Before taking the job he wrote to the British Government saying that if he found the Italians working against Britain he would let them know.” The wife added that the Italian Embassy assured him the work would have no bad effects on Britain, but let him down in every way and had not paid him a penny except expenses. The trouble with him was that he was too trusting. The “News-Chronicle” learns that Lawrence’s interview with the Bate Company, at which he purchased dumdum bulets, was not his first visit to the firm. Mr Rawlings, the managing director, stated: “Lawrence first came to see me toward the end of the Chaco war and stated he was concerned with the purchase of a number of rifles in connection with the dispute.” The “News-Chronicle” also understands that Lawrence was first known in London in 1918. He joined revolutionary organisations and gained the confidence of “Left” politicians. He Offered Mr W. F. Watson, president of the London Workers’ Committee, £SO to get 250,000 seditious leaflets printed, but Mr Watson refused. The “Daily Herald” understands that the Mezler episode is merely an incident in a vast Italian underground propaganda campaign against Britain, covering every section of the Empire. PARENTS POLISH The “Daily Mail” says Lawrence’s parents are Polish. He became a secret service agents in 1919 at Constanti- | nople, when he was suspected of beI ing in touch with the Communist Internationale. Orloff, head of Deniken’s secret service, swore to kill him, but Lawrence escaped in a fishing boat from Odessa. The British authorities recognised him when he went to Mr Ramsay MacDonald offering for a specified sum to produce the author of tlie Zinoviev letter. The “Daily Herald” says the Foreign Office has informed the Italian Embassy that its methods are under scrutiny and will be exposed in the event of further trouble.