FACTS DISCLOSED.

Wairarapa Age, 6 April 1933, Page 5

FACTS DISCLOSED.

Arrest of British Experts In Moscow. WEu'L PAPER ISSUED IN LONDON. EXPOSURE/ OF RUSSIAN STAGECRAFT. DIVERSION FROM INTERNAL ISSUES. (Received Wednesday, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, April 4. A White Paper has been issued which covers correspondence from March 12 to March 17 between Sir Esmond Ovey (British Ambassador to Russia) and Sir John Simon (Foreign Secretary) and Sir R. G. Vansittart (Assistant- Under-Secre-tary fot Foreign Affairs). The correspondence begins by detailing the arrest of Mr. Alan Monkhouse, who was called upon to make a complete confession and was told he would be treated as a criminal if he refused. Mr. Monkhouse explained that he visited England regularly to inform his company of the state of business in Russia. The accusers retorted that this amounted to espionage. The accusers also produced a list of twenty-four Vickers turbines which had given trouble. Mr. Monkhouse pointed out that mistakes had been made. The fault partly lay with the l Russians. It was natural that there should be occasional mishaps. In any case the company had done its best to repair the turbines rapidly. The Ambassador -added that it was inconceivable that the Soviet Government could produce credible evidence of criminal malpractice on the part of Metropolitan Vickers. The Ogpu, on March 13, issued a communique stating that thirty-five officials accused of agricultural sabotage on the day before and condemned to death were shot. , Sir R. G. Vansittart, on March 14, telegraphed to Sir E. Ovey, .“You doubtless emphasised to M. iutvinoff the impossible position of Anglo-Soviet relations if British subjects are used for spectacular treason trials, staged, for reasons of internal politics.” Sir E. Ovey, on March 14, telegraphed: “I have seen the prisoners. All obviously were terrified and confined themselves to minimum replies. Their obsequiousness created an uncanny impression upon me, the interviews being in the presence of four officials.”

The Ambassador, on March 15, telegraphed to Sir J. Simon: ’ * The principal danger of the situation is that these people are completely unable to see themselves in any Other light than that of an aggrieved Power struggling for noble ideals against world political, financial and commercial conspirators. I understand Russia owes Metropolitan Vickers £1,500,090, in addition to five years’ technical aid contracts, each of £30,000. I strongly deprecate any panicky flight by Vickers from Russia, which would enable Russia to contend that Metropolitan Vickers had failed to carry out their contracts and to withhold the monies indefinitely.” ‘Sir E. Ovey added that before leaving, he expressed his personal bitter disappointment at this deliberate sabotage of Anglo-Russian relations. M. Litvinoff accused Sir E. Ovey of exaggeration and replied that the Ogpu were not fools and knew what thev were doing-. Sir E. Ovey replied that if M. Litvinoff thought he was speaking with greater frankness than would be used in London, he was entirely mistaken. The situation was fraught with the utmost danger. Sir R. G. Vansittart, on March 17, telegraphed to Sir E. Ovey entirely approving his action and ” stating that Cabinet would consider further action. BAIL ALLOWED. ONE PRISONER STILL DETAINED. MOSCOW, April 4. The Vickers prisoners, Messrs Thornton, .Cushny and Gregory -have been bailed in the sum of 55,000 roubles. Mr Macdonald has been detained. Before their release the Vickers engineers, Messrs. Cushny, Thornton and Gregory, had their indictments read to them. They entered a general denial. It is understood that each was unaware of the presence of the others in gaol. They were met at the. gates by Mr. Monkhouse. After telephoning and telegraphing to their families in England they went to the Embassy, where they dined with the Strangs.' Seen there by Press representatives they said that questions were not permitted. All looked tired, but were in cheerful spirits. PLEDGE EXACTED. BAILED MEN TO REMAIN FOR TRIAL. (Received Wednesday, 7.0 pm) MOSCOW, April 5. The Vickers engineers who have been released on bail will live in their homes under pledge to remain in Moscow until the trial.