BITTER OUTBURST

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18066, 18 April 1933, Page 5

BITTER OUTBURST

SOVIET PROSECUTOR FATE OF PRISONERS “MANURE FOR OUR FIELDS” DRAMATIC SCENES AT TRIAL (Line. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Received April 18, noon) LONDON, April 17. Tho Daily Chronicle’s Moscow correspondent says that the prosecutor, M. Vishinsky, in addressing the court on the charges against the Vickers’ engineers, spoke for four hours. He was never at a loss for a word or phrase, and addressed the Bench as “comrades.” The faces of Thornton and MacDonald were noticeably strained, and Monkhouse looked paler and careworn when the trial resumed. M. Vishinsky claimed that the accused Russians had proved traitors, and lie therefore demanded the death penalty. Ho emphasised that the crimes of the Russians were more heinous than those of the Englishmen- This is taken to mean that ne will not demand the death penalty for the Englishmen. When the trial was resumed, M. Vishinsky, wearing the Older of the Red Banner, began his speech for the prosecution. Urging the importance of tho trial in the eyes of the world, lie piled tho adjectives on in denunciation of Russia’s enemies.

Referring to the British attacks, he said : “We have never concealed the class nature of our justice. Our courts defend the proletariat, theirs defend the capitalist class. Monkhouse must remember that he is here, not as a representative of the Metro-Vickers Company, but as an individual accused of espion age, sabotage and bribery.” GREGORY EXONERATED M. Vyshinsky, pounding the table with his fist, continued his address with renewed vigor, describing the breakdowns of various power stations, lie declared that sabotage could be the only reason for the occurrences. Sometimes doctors in operating left instruments in a body. Something of that sort had happened at Zouisvsky station, which, consequently, became pretty sick. Referring to the first Moscow station, lie said the wreckers evidently had a five-year plan of sabotaging, which started in 1028.

M. Vyshinsky produced a minor sensation by remarking, apparently referring to Gregory: '“1 am uncertain about the guilt of one of the accused. I will discuss him later.” He described MacDonald as an experienced and clever secret service agent, caught red-handed at sabotaging, but comparatively honest and brave in confessing. “Guisev has confessed to being a sabotageur and secret agent. I will ask the severest punishment for him.” There was a commotion in the court when M. Vyshinsky referred to Cushny as “working like a crack secret agent. ’ ’ Cushny jumped up and shouted: “1 did not do any spying.” The judge called him to order. After the adjournment, M. Vyshinsky directed his main attack on Thornton, and once turned wrathfully towards him and exclaimed: “You’ll be no use in Russia or England. Perhaps you’ll be used as manure, for our Soviet fields somewhere.”

Facing Cushny, lie said: “You deny everything, but we will unmask you like Monkhouse, Thornton, and Nordwall.” Continuing, he declared: “All the prisoners are guilty except Gregory. All deserve death, hut our courts are not vengeful. Nevertheless, if the • ourt considers it necessary to order that extreme measure, your hands must lot shake.” •'WORTHLESS CREATURE” M. Vyshinsky, concluding, loudly denounced Monkhouse, who, he said, had admitted giving bribes through Thornton, euphemistically called presents. Monkhouse had gathered State secrets. Monkhouse: What constitutes secrets? M. Vyshinsky: We will judge and convict you according to our laws. He described Mdlle. Kutusova as a conscienceless, pleasure-seeking woman, but pleaded for mitigation as sho ultimately turned State witness.

Readdressing Thornton, he said : “You are a worthless creature. The evidence shows that you are guilty of espionage, wreckage and bribery.’’ lie added that he saw no reason to uphold the charges against Gregory, who had not harmed the Soviet, but the punishment of MacDonald, Monkhouse, Not'dwail, and Cushny must be as severe as possible. The court, in deciding its verdict, must remember that the Soviet did not seek blood and vengeance, but the defence of the socialist revolution.

Towards the close of the session the accused listened apathetically to the weakening rhetoric of M. Vishinsky, who fell back on technicalities. Ho discussed the meaning of the word “espionage.”' declaring that the Soviet interpretation corresponded with that in the English legal dictionary.. It was decided to conclude the summing up to-morrow, after which the last pleas of the accused will follow the defence counsel’s speeches. The verdict is expected late on Tuesday or early on Wednesday. Tiie Times’ Riga correspondent says that Monkhouse’s courage and self-de-fence in challenging the evidence of the Russian informer? noticeably worried M. Vishinsky. and completely' put him out of his stride.