ESPIONAGE CASE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26081, 19 February 1946, Page 5

ESPIONAGE CASE

SOVIET INVOLVED PRIVILEGES ABUSED DRAG-NET FURTHER SPREAD (Rec. 9 p.m.) NEW YORK. Feb. 17. Although no information has been allowed to leak out regarding the number or the identity of those held for questioning in connection with the espionage charge, it is believed that 15 persons are at present detained, and others are at the commission’s disposal, says the New York Times Ottawa correspondent. Mr Mackenzie King’s warning that the inquiry is sub judice , prevents publication of the names of persons who disappeared from their homes or occupations during the week-end. The drag-net has been spread out to at least two provincial centres, .where important confidential work has been done. It is pow believed that "all in any way involved have been tracked down. Canada’s full and free communication of useful information to Soviet representatives during and since the war. in contrast to Russian secrecy, has been outstanding. Members of Russian purchasing missions have *been allowed to enter factories and laboratories without restriction, and the Soviet diplomatic press representatives had free access to Government offices. The Canadian press learns authoritatively that the information passed to Moscow included everything a spy would be interested in atomic energy secrets, radar, military weapon developments, the “muskox”’ expedition, and Canada’s economic life. A high source said that the investigation began several months ago, when a Canadian agent lost his nerve and ‘‘spilled the words’” after finding his apartment rifled Another informant said a young Russian on the Soviet Embassy staff disappeared with his ■wife and child last September after his Ottawa apartment had been ransacked. The Russian is identified as Ivor Gosenko, who told intimate friends that he was likely to be sent back to the Soviet and feared for his future.