THRILLING SCENES

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18928, 24 April 1933, Page 7

THRILLING SCENES

ENGINEERS REACH HOME. tumultuous welcome. \ CONCERN FOR TWO PRISONERS. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. LONDON, April 23. “England at last. Thank God,’’ was the ejaculation of the foyir Vickers Company’s engineers on stepping ashore at Harwich. Journalists swarmed round the party to obtain their impressions, which the New Zealander, Mr Allan Monkhouse, aptly ■epitomised. . “Cur feelings on reaching England on St. George's Day can be better understood than expressed,’’, said Mr Monkhouse. “But Thornton and MacDonald are left behind.” Each member nf the party mentioned his concern for the two comrades still In Moscow, in "Whose interests comments on the recent trial have been forbidden.

There was a cheering crowd at Liverpool Street station, London. Many women had bouquets for the four men. Moving reunions were seen and the movie cameras were busy. Mr Felix Pole welcomed the men and congratulated them on behalf of the Vickers Company. The crowd sang the National Anthem and “For They Are Jolly Good Fellows.” Mr Nordwall’s Russian wife seemed to be swept off her'feet by the thrill ■of the scenes. Mr Monkhouse, on behalf of his companions and himself, paid a high tribute to the efforts of the British Embassy and the warm sympathy oj the public. Mr Monkhouse, at his first opportunity, will call on Mrs Thornton. BERLIN, April 22. Nazis in Berlin gave an overwhelming welcome to the home-going Vickers engineers. 'They declare they were comrades because the Nazis had been similarly treated in Russia.

THORNTON AND MACDONALD. RUMOURED RELEASE. SUGGESTION OF HYPNOTISM. United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright. LONDON, April 22. The Daily Express says it understands that the Soviet has decided to release and expel Messrs W. H. Thornton and W. H. MacDonald, the two Vickers Company’s engineers who were sentenced to three and two years’ imprisonment respectively on charges of sabotage and espionage in Russia. A rumour, apparently emanating from Copenhagen, states that Thornton and MacDonald have been released. A message from Moscow, however, ■says the rumour .of the release *o'f the two engineers is unfounded. The Soviet Embassy in London is •in the dark about the matter. The London office of the Vickers firm .conversed by telephone with the deported party on arrival In Berlin. The deported British engineers, Messrs Monkhouse, Cushny and Nordwall, with Mr Gregory, who was- acquitted at the-Moscow trial, crossed the frontier into Poland at Bialystok. Their request on leaving the train was for a hearty meal. They then entered a train for Warsaw. Mr Monkhouse, who was very pale, spoke emotionally. He said he could not understand the reason for his arrest. He did not believe any of his colleagues were guilty. "MacDonald’s curious conduct beats me,” Mr Monkhouse added. "I believe he was hypnotised. When I was examined I found the same glassy eyes always staring into mine. I turned away, but MacDonald apparently succumbed to hypnotic power.” British listeners heard a Moscow broadcast stating that the Soviet would cancel existing contracts with Britain and would not place any fresh orders.

The British United Press representative in Moscow reports that the Soviet has ordered a cessation of trade with Britain in retaliation for the embargo to' be placed by Britain ■on imports from Russia. The Exchange Telegraph Agency’s Moscow representative reports that the Soviet lias ordered all Russian trading organisations to cease chartering British ships. Higher taxes are to be levied on all British ships which visit Russian waters.

The Foreign Trade Commissar also announces his intention of hindering the transit of British goods through Russian territory.

The Daily Express understands the Soviet lias decided to release and expel Messrs MacDonald and Thornton next week. Those already deported crossed the frontier into Poland at Bialystok. Their first request on leaving the train was for a healthy meal. They then entrained for Warsaw.

LATER. NO PETITION LODGED. PLACED IN MODEL PRISON. OFFICIAL VISIT AUTHORISED. United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received April 24, 11.45 a.m.) MOSCOW, April 23. There was no new petition lodged on behalf of Thornton and MacDonald, but the Foreign Ofllce to-day authorised British Embassy officials to visit them at the Sokonlku prison on Monday. Under the Tsar’s regime this was reputedly one of the worst prisons in Russia. It lias been rebuilt, however, under the Soviet, and it is now one of the show places as a model prison with gardens ami workshops.