REDS AND THE FLEET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 21007, 19 October 1931, Page 7

REDS AND THE FLEET.

STARTLING REVELATIONS. INVERGORDON AFFAIR. ' ACCUSED SENT FOR TRIAL. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received October 18, 7.15 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 17. Revelations of an alleged attempt to cause a mutiny in the Atlantic Fleet were made at Portsmouth when two Communists. George Allison, aged 36, and William Shepherd, aged 25, were committed for trial charged with inciting to mutiny, the maximum sentence for which is penal servitude for life. Tho prosecution stated that Able-Sea-man Bateman, serving with a vessel which was not among those the men refused to take to sea from Invergordon, went ashore at Portsmouth oa September 22. He met a civilian, Gerald Hutchings, who was not in custody although he was charged in conjunction with Allison and Shepherd with conspiring under the Mutiny Act. Hutchings invited Bateman to have a drink, and said he was a journalist and wanted a story of tho events relating to the Fleet. Bateman suggested that he should meet some more educated sailor, whereupon he introduced Hutchings to a telegraphist, Bousefield. Hutchings told Bousefield he was a member of tho Third (Communist) International and suggested that Bousefield should address a meeting to incite the men to strike. Ho added: "I do not want passive resistance, but shoot the devils down and go the whole way with it." Bousefield replied that he would b» flung out of the Navy. Hutchings assured him lie would get him work in Russia. Bousefield duly reported the conversation to his captain, after which he acted according to his orders. Bousefield visited tho Communists' headquarters in London and there met Shepherd, who promised to pay him £IOO and his wife 40s a week if he was imprisoned. He said Allison would hand to Bateman a pamphlet which it was proposed he should distribute among the sailors. The magistrate refused bail to the accused.