SECOND EDITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15730, 3 October 1914, Page 8

SECOND EDITION.

GERMANS SURPRISED, AFRICAN POSTS TAKEN. BRITISH TROOPS ACTIVE. (Received October 3, 1.43 a.m.) London, October 2. Tho Sooth African forces surprised and captured several German positions in the vicinity of Luderitz, in German South-west Africa. There were no casualties.

OPERATIONS IN BELGIUM, TRAIN LOADS OF GERMANS. CONCENTRATION AT BRUSSELS (Received October 3, 1.43 a.m.) London, October 2. The Germans continue to concentrate huge train load of troops at Brussels.

SPIES IN LONDON. ORDERS FROM BERLIN. EXTRAORDINARY DIARY. The intention of Germany to make an attack on England in tho event of an outbreak of civil war in Ireland is emphasised by the entries in a minute book recording the proceedings of ft German secret society in London.

This book came into the possession of the authorities, and was instrumental in enabling the police to arrest a number of men on the charge of being spies.. The society had its headquarters in Soho, and the meetings were usually held on Sunday mornings, when the colony of German waiters would be freed from duty.

The membership was limited to 100. and the duty of each man was allocated. The object was to discover any weaK points in the English plan of defence and communicate them to an assigned place in London, whence they would be communicated to a German warship in the North | Sea, or direct to Germany.

As Intricate Code. The entries in the minute book were in an intricate German code, but they have been interpreted, and tho full purpose of the German conspirators has been revealed. Among the entries were the following :— April 19.—Full attendance in response to urgent summons. Chairman announced that official cognisance had been taken by the authorities at Berlin of the crisis in Ireland. Members notified to bo ready at any moment to take up their duties as servants of tho Fatherland. April Meeting of executive committee. Reports read from rifle stores. May —Full membership meeting. Chairman read letter announcing sending of £2500 by G . Posts and duties allotted. May Executive committee meeting. Purchase of wire-cutters and rubber gloves ordered.

May 17.-—Membership meeting. Chairman announced despatch of consignment of rifle and pistol cartridges from Bremen marked as screws and nails.

May 25.—Executive meeting. Warni%g from chief at Berlin to be ready at any moment.

Airship Depot. May 3L—Members' meeting. Chairman read letter from chief ordering establishment of a depot for airship parts at a place to be selected by this body. East coast of England and Scotland selected. June 7.—Executive meeting. Telegram received from Berlin ordering us to strike at end of July^ June 14.—-Members' meeting. Parts of pistols and rifles ordered to be distributed. Juno 21.Executive meeting. Chairmain reported that police are watching our movements. Jane 28.Members' meeting. Decision to disband owing to police activity. Arranged for members to be communicated with by post. Code given to each member. There is no record of any meeting after the last date, but there is evidence of increased activity on the part of the members, whose purpose was upset by the course taken by European politics involving a widespread war.