SENSATION AT GENEVA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20722, 15 November 1930, Page 2 (Supplement)

SENSATION AT GENEVA.

DESPATCH BOX KEYS. THEFT FROM BRITISH M.P. SECRET MISSION INQUIRY. * The recent theft at Geneva by a mysterious armed intruder of British Foreign Office despatch box keys and the consequent necessary fitting of fresh locks, as reported in The Daily Mail, havo had a very significant sequel.

The keys were taken from the trousers of Mr. Noel Maker, M.P., Parliamentary private secretary to the British Foreign Minister, Mr. A. and a delegate to the League of Nations Assembly, while ho was sleeping in a bedroom in an hotel in Geneva.

For obvious reasons the burglary has been treated by official.! as a common theft. The Geneva concspondent of the Daily Mail says ho has excellent reasons for knowing, however, that, in view of its daring execution, the strange behaviour of the man while in Mr. Baker's room and his escape without leaving the slightest trace, the possibility of its being the work of some foreign Power was never lost sight, ol by the secret service in London. An independent inquiry into the matter was therefore decided upon. A few days after the robbery an expert in inter-

national affairs arrived at Geneva, where lie took up residence near tlie British delegation's' headquarters. llis mission was to make discreet inquiries about all international " elements " moving in the orbit of the League, who could have an interest in securing Foreign Office keys and confidential documents in the possession of the British delegation. The correspondent says it is betraying no secret to say that for some years the British Intelligence Service has kept in close touch with certain aspects of international affairs in Geneva. Some little time ago, however, changes were made sc that the expert from London was able to fulfil liis delicate mission iti absolute secrecv.

None of the many people to whom this distinguished Briton was casually introduced suspected his real identity. The first step was to find if the hand of Moscow had again been at work against Britain, and many people of obscure origin were discreetly questioned. Handsome women prominent in political circles came under the inquirer's scrutiny and the bona fides of persons -having contact with the League delegates were carefully gone into.

The full report was in the hands of the British secret service on October 1.