UBIQUITOUS BRITISH SPIES.

NZ Truth, Issue 605, 20 January 1917, Page 3

ÜBIQUITOUS BRITISH SPIES.

When some sensational bit of work by/ German spies is published, much of which is pure fiction, we often hear the question asked: "What's Britain doing? Can't she organise as good a spy sysfem as the Huns?" There is no doubt she can and has, but It would never do for the work of British spies to find its way into the> press, at least not until the enemy already knew that particular bit of work was their doing. But if Britons are m doubt es to the efficiency of the Intelligence Depart - I ment m the Old Dart, the Teutons have quite a different opinion. The "Kolnlsche Zeitung," quoting from the "Konfectionar," draws attention to the complete knowledge possessed m England of German business life, and narrates the. following incl-^ dent: "Buyers of a large Danish house were recently sent to England by their firm m order to purchase the next season's goods. At the landing place they were asked whether and when they had last been m Berlin for the purchase of goods. One of those ques--tipned admitted that he had been In Berlin and had bought things there. He was told that he could go to Germany again for what he wanted, as he would not be jiermitted to buy anything m England. "The other buyer informed the British official questioning him that he had not visited Berlin since the beginning of the war. 'This statement was Investigated on the spot by the official, and m a few minutes the Danish . gentleman was informed that his statement was not m accordance with the facts; that he had visited Berlin m June, 1915, and that he had resided m the Hotel. This gentleman was also informed that he might continue his purchases m Germany, but lhat England was closed to him." i These incidents show, says the-: "Kolnlsche," with how sharp an eye j tho English watch the business rela- i tlons of neutrals with Germany, m consequence of such occurrences, Danish buyers will certainly discontinue their visits to Britain.