ENEMY SPYING

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 28 July 1942, Page 5

ENEMY SPYING

ALMOST POSITIVE EVIDENCE FIFTH COLUMN ACTIVITY FEDERAL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED Sydney, This Day. The Commonwealth Government has almost positive evidence that formidable enemy spying assisted by local anti-British elements is operating in Australia. It is considered likely that the number of enemy agents eould have been reinforced by landings on the coast from Japanese submarines. The Australian authorities are gravely concerned by the apparent leakage to the enemy in recent months of closely guarded military secrets. Evidence possessed by Federal officials suggests that Japan has spies here who move in highly respected social and business circles and pick up information which should be kept secret. There are some grounds for the theory that recent instructions to spies in this country have been brought ashore from a submarine.

The public has been warned to be on guard against sabotage. Measures have been taken to strengthen the guards over war establishments, munitions factories and centres of communication. Recent experience in America has underlined the Axis method of introducing enemy agents to a country by submarine. Long stretches of unguarded coastline make this a grave danger to Australia. During the last session of the Federal Parliament the Minister of Navy and Munitions, Mr Makin, gave an assurance that the authorities were investigating the possibility of crews of enemy submarines having been in contact with enemy agents jn Australia. The Intelligence Branch is making intensive efforts to uncover fifth column activity known to be rampant here.—P.A. special Australian correspondent.