SPIES FOILED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22955, 5 February 1938, Page 15

SPIES FOILED

SERIES OF CHARGES YOUNG WOMAN'S RUSE DRAMATIC COURT STORY FOUR MEN ON TRIAL • By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright LONDON, Feb. 3 A dramatic story was unfolded at Bow Street, where Percy Glading, aged 45 years, and Albert Williams, aged 39 years, and also George Whomack and Walter Munday, were all charged under the Official Secrets Act. The prosecution alleged that Glading, who was prepared to act the traitor for his own personal gain, persuaded the other three to break their duty and allegiance to the Crown, and bring from the Woolwich arsenal secret documents in order to photograph tljem. Whomack was the assistant foreman in the gun section department of the .Naval Ordnance, Munday an nssistant chemist and Williams an examiner in the Armaments Office. All were at Woolwich, where Glading was once employed. Intelligence Department's Action Ik was suggested that Glading was in. contact with a foreign Power, but his plans were foiled by a certain Miss X, who, acting under instructions from the Intelligence Department at the War Office, joined the Friends of the Soviet Union in 1931, and became a typist to the "Anti-War Movement." 3d iss X came into contact with Glading in 1934. In February, 1937, Glading introduced her to a man called Peters, who was described as an Austrian, and also another foreigner, named Stevens. He and his wife both spoke French Glading asked Miss X to give up her job and learn photography, agreeing to pay her £5 a week. After this a large plan was brought to her flat, and she photographed it, taking the identification numbers for the War Office. Watchers followed Mrs. Stevens when she was taking away, the plan, and saw her meet Whomack, who was otherwise not concerned in the case. The plan related to the newest type of 14in. naval gun, the importance-of which was known to another Power. Papers Handed Over The authorities later shadowed Glading and saw him hand over some papers to Munday. A search of Glading's flat disclosed some photographic plates and memoranda of aircraft designs. They also found some very secret negatives, which implicated Williams. Prints of a bomb fuse and an anti-tank pistol were discovered as well.

Glading and Williams were arrested at Charing Cross, where Williams handed over parcels, which were found to contain blue-prints.

Miss X, a tall, slim and pretty blonde, pave evidence bearing out the prosecution's case. Accused were remanded until February 7, and bail was refused. The police said that,, although Glading had no passport, he could easily reach a certain country.