AN EXILED TRAITOR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13926, 7 December 1908, Page 6

AN EXILED TRAITOR.

ARRIVAL AT SYDNEY.

SECRETS SOLD TO GERMANY.

Confixed in a specially constructed cell, and guarded both day and night by special warders, a young military officer is at present on board tho French mail steamer Australion lying at Miller's Point (says the Sydney Morning Herald of Tuesday last), condemned for selling his country's secrets to another Power, and will pass the remainder of his dayS as a convict in New Caledonia. , Louis Berthon, up to tho time of his conviction, was a lioutenaut of artillery in the French Reserves, and was stationed at Bourgo. ■ Popular with his comrades, and trusted by nis superior officers, he appeared to have a brilliant career before him. Ho was admitted into exclusive circles in Paris, and his position as military officer gave him access to many sources of information. He was free to speak to whomsoever he chose, and became tlio repository of much'confidential knowledge. In this way ho becamo possessed of some of the military secrets of Franco, and, thirsting for. money, he committed the worst of all crimes— ho became a traitor to Ids country. While in Paris ho engaged in a spy on behalf of Germany, and consented for a monetary consideration to divulge valuable and private information. The Germans with whom ho was in treaty feared that tho French authorities would discover the treachery of one of their officers, and in order that tho conspiracy might bo developed with greater security an appointment was mado with Berthon in Brussels, in Belgium.

By one of those most extraordinary coincidences that, only seem to happen in tragic events, a French lawyer happened to occupy die adjoining room to Berthon at tho hotel in Brussels where ho temporarily stayed. Tho Gorman confederates of Berthon visited him at his quarters soon after his arrival, and the conversation was overheard by the French lawyer. Tho plot was soon discovered. Tho French lawyer gathered from tho conversation between the traitor and his German visitors that Berthon had sold the specifications of cartridges and torpedoes to tho Germans. What other military secrete he had parted. with could not bo definitely ascertained from tho conversation, but both Borthon and his confederates were off their guard, and said more in public than they would have done in Paris.

The lawyer immediately telegraphed to the Prefect of Police in Paris (Mens. Lepine), informing him that on a certain train that would arrive at the North Station (Gare du Nord) was an anarchist, who intended to make an attempt on the life of the President of the Republic. The sender of the message added that he would closely follow the anarchist, and would on arrival indicate him to the officers of police.

Mons. Berthon did not suspect that ho was being followed or that his crime had been discovered, lie alighted en the station with a firm step, but the French lawyer, faithful to his pledge, was close at his heels, and immediately on the appearance of the detectives shouted "'Arrest him," pointing in the direction of Bcrthcn. The prisoner, who even then did not realise what had happened so quickly, submitted quietly, and was conducted to the cells to await his trial.

Jr. the meantime special officers had been deputed to search the residence of Berthon, and there found a number of documents of a compromising character. Inquiries were made, and a woman who resided at the same address was also placed under arrest. Berthon and <he woman, who is believed to l>e his wife, were arraigned before the Criminal Court (Cour d'Assise) on July 27. The solicitor for Berthon requested that the case should bo heard with closed doors; and in compliance with his expressed desire the public as well as the representatives of the press were excluded from the Court. The Court, however, delivered judgment in public. It transpired that Berthon, when asked what he had to say in reply to the charge brought against him, acknowlelged his guilt. Ho made an appeal to the Court to transport him to a healthy colony where he might be acompanied by his wife. The Court was merciful, and notwithstanding the gravity of the offence acceded to his wishes. The sentence pronounced by , the Court, therefore, was that Berthon should be transported to New Caledonia for life.