GERMAN SPIES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1785, 3 November 1919, Page 7

GERMAN SPIES.

ACTIVITY IN AUSTRALIA.

By Cable. — Press Association. — Copyright. SYDNEY, Nov. 2. Two Germans have been sentenced at Brisbane on a charge of stealing military documents. The Sydney "Sun" states that one of the accused, an ex-memDer of the A.1.F., had, while in the Military Intelligence Department, discovered a plot for a German invasion of Australia, which he disclosed to the authorities. The accused pleaded that he took the papers by mistake, and intended replacing them. His disclosures led to the arrest of a notorious spy who passed under the name of Ronald Graham Gordon. His remarkable career in various parts of the world included confidential work for Lord Roberts for a time in the South African War. It is alleged that Gordon was employed as a courier by Germany, ancLwas in Australia on an important Imperial mission. He took a prominent part in a number of patriotic movements, and was on friendly terms with many leading citizens. Papers were seized at his house, some being hidden in what was apparently a pianola, but in reality a secret press. They included letters from German correspondents and letters of credit on German banks signed by the High Chancellor. Gordon declined any information regarding his identity or papers, and is being deported.