MOSCOW TREASON TRIAL

Waipawa Mail, Volume LXVI, Issue 72, 7 March 1938, Page 3

MOSCOW TREASON TRIAL

CALLOUS CONFESSION BRITISH IS. INVOLVED. MOSCOW, March 5. Further sensational references to Britain’s alleged plotting against Russia were made at the resumption of the treason trial. Pressed to explain the meaning of his statement that Rykov guaranteed him independence in Bekistan under the protection of a foreign State, Ivhojaeff, former Premier of Bekistan, replied that it was England. He added that he had tried to establish Bokhara as the centre of a buffer State between Russia and British territory. Further confessions of his relations with the Intelligence Services of Great Britain and Japan were made by Rakovsky. Rakovsky gave details of operations which he alleged he had carried out on behalf of the British Intelligence Service, and mentioned by name several people prominent in Britain with whom he said he had worked. Astonishing evidence of guilt was provided also by other accused, including Sharonvitch, Rosengolt, Zelinsky and Bukharin, who admitted being the leader of an organisation aiming at the restoration of capitalism in Russia. Sharonvieh, former President of the White Russian Republic, astounded the Court with the vehemence of his confession. “I have been a traitor, a spy, a conspirator, a wrecker, and a defeatist working for a Fascist victory over Russia,” he said. “We cut-throats planned to kill Marshal \ oroshilov under instructions from Rightists in Moscow. We planned to wreck White Russia, and began spreading cholera among cattle, and killed 30,000 horses. We also disaffected 100,000 peasants in order to rouse them against the Soviet.” "He added that he maintained close touch with the Polish General Staff in 1932 and helped to organise the Polish National Fascists, who worked with Russian Rightists. Rakovsky divulged the names of the British naval officers as Armstrong and Leckert. The journalist was Michael Farbman. He added that he renewed his connection with Britain in 1934 at the request of Lady Paget. Rakovsky, giving further evidence, testified that he went to Tokio in 1934 to represent the Soviet at Red Cross conference. Piatakoff tricked him into taking a cipher letter to Qureneff, then Ambassador to Japan, containing secret information for the Japanese. The letter mentioned Bogomoloff, for a long time councillor to the Embassy in London, who was recently recalled from the Ambassadorship in China, and Sabanin, head of the Foreign Office’s legal department, as “good people to use.” Rakovsky added: “The letter compromised me, so I became a Japanese spv, into which I was blackmailed.” Zelinsky cold-bloodedly recited the wrecking of food distribution, including the placing of nails and ground glass in butter. He frequently deliberately deprived Moscow of butter and eggs, and once destroyed fifty car-loads of eggs en route to Moscow in order to create discontent. He also arranged for thirteen stores to give short weight. No ruling was given as to whether the names of British subjects given in the course of evidence in a foreign Court are privileged, but it is believed there is little doubt that it would be upheld as privileged. Responsibility for publication is left to individual papers.