A SPY HUNT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24460, 20 November 1940, Page 8

A SPY HUNT

AMERICAN ACTION SEARCHING INQUIRY AXIS ORGANISATIONS i ... ■ (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) CHICAGO, Nov. 18. (Received Nov. 19, at 11.45 p.m.) Mr Martin Dies announced that the agents of the committee which is investigating " un-American" activities were raiding German and Italian organisations in various parts of the country, seeking records and membership lists. He added that 10 Italian-American and GermanAmerican organisations had been Summoned to produce their complete membership, financial and publicity records. Mr Dies questioned several people, including the leaders of German organisations. He announced before the hearing was opened that "the sweeping activities of subversive organisations of an important foreign Power operating in "America " would be revealed by the star witness, who was a former agent of the foreign .Power. Heinrich Peter Fassbender arrived from Los Angeles for questioning. He told the press: "I started as an agent of the .Nazi Government in 1935 and worked in Spain and Belgium. I was sent to America, and travelled on a German passport with a Tokio visa." He said he agreed to testify before the committee on a promise not to be extradited. Mr Dies announced that Fassbender admitted he had received cheques from the German Government varying from 100 to 200 dollars. He said Fassbender admitted that he had photographs of industrial plants and the names of persons he was connected with. He admitted industrial and military espionage.