WIDESPREAD PLOT

Taranaki Daily News, 12 April 1935, Page 5

WIDESPREAD PLOT

GERMANY’S ESPIONAGE

ALLEGATIONS IN FRANCE

CONFESSION OF. ONE SPY

MORE ARRESTS EXPECTED

By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright Rec. 10 p.m. London, April 11. The fact that a German, Edward Bemhuber, was arrested on suspicion of spying three weeks ago is only now revealed, says the Paris correspondent of the Daily Telegraph. The fact that he confessed during the magistrate’s investigation that he was a member of Germany’s espionage system has also just come to light. An Italian dancer who was friendly with Bemhuber says the man called himself an Austrian baron and lived in luxury. He spoke four languages. The Telegraph adds that more arrests are expected shortly. The Times correspondent says that a widespread plot is believed! to have been unmasked by the capture of Bernhuber, who allegedly t confessed that he was an ex-Austrian officer attempting to discover French political activities, including secrets of the recent Schuschnigg conversations at London and Paris, and the Paris activities of Austrian monarchists.

A truncheon, revolver and miniature tear gas pistol disguised as a fountain pen were found! in Bemhuber’s rooms, where he lived with the Italian dancing girl. The arrest follows an allegation by workmen building a strategically important bridge across the Seine at Rouen that he mined one of the pillars. It also follows the arrest of Lydia Oswald, at Brest, who is accused of attempting to secure secrets from a naval officer. She claims that she refused to continue the espionage because she fell in love with him.