The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORTED THE EGM0NT SETTLER. TUESDAY, JULY 22, 1913. ESPIONAGE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 65, 22 July 1913, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORTED THE EGMONT SETTLER. TUESDAY, JULY 22, 1913. ESPIONAGE.

Espionage appears to bo giving Con-

tinental Governments a good deal of worry of late, and it is not surprising

therefore to find that, judging from the text of a J3ill dealing with the “betrayal of military secrets,” the German Government intends both to extend the definition of spying and to increase the weight of all penalties. I p to the present time the offence has been dealt with under the Act of 1893, but this, in the opinion of the authorities, lias become so antiquated that an entirely new measure is proposed, in

addition to the communication of drawings, writings, “and other objects,” the now Bill has in view the communication of “information the secrecy ol which is necessary in the interest of national defence.” Under this “information” is included news'

as to ho introduction of new weapons, technical improvements, the stationing cl troops, or anything which in time cl political tension may be inconsistent with the interests of defence. In

order to make it possible for espionage to be stopped in its early stages,

| punishment is extended to the at- ] tempt itself, to any person who is in communication with the agent of a foreign Power, and to any person found in the neighborhood of fortresses, or defended place, who may give wrong ini urination as to his personality. The clause, most likely to provoke criticism is considered to bo one which deals) with the “negligent” betrayal of mili-i tarv secrets. Under the new Bill all who allow such information to become, public, without regard to whether the information lias been obtained from official sources or not, are liable to

Nnivv fines or to imprisonment up to three years. This new stipulation obvionslv is aimed at the publication

> i military information by the press. It Is, of course, easily possible tint ! barm mav lie done by the injudicious

publication of military nows; but thei

j “Frankfnrtpr Zoitnno;” points ont itlio prevention of snrh loakngos is

best secured by a closer connection between the military authorities and the press, not by making such leakage equivalent to espionage. Another clause punishes heavily the publication without official permission, while investigations are still being carried on, of news concerning an offence against the law; in other words, the mere statement that a spy had been caught taking suspicious photographs would appear to be an offence punishable with imprisonment for a year or a fine of £SO. It is not surprising, a

Berlin correspondent says, that tie Socialist “Vorwarts” characterisethe proposed law as a new attempt tc gag tlie press and to prevent the publication of facts that would in am way prove unpleasant to the military authorities.

England’s best Customers.

The President of the Board of Tradi states that the following are the value: of produce and manufactures exporter by the United Kingdom to the leading foreign countries of the world and tht self-governing Dominions; — Germany ... ... £40,362,767 Australia ... ... 34,840,701 United States ... 30,065,806 France ... ... 25,585,681 Canada 23,531,311 South Africa ... 21,420,912 Holland 14,281,668 Belgium 12,193,306 New Zealand ... 10,390,334 Though New Zealand is at the hot tom (if the above list, when the ques tion of population is looked into thif Dominion appears to be buying fa i more per head, from Britain than am other customer the Old Country has