PRISONERS IN RUSSIA.

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18929, 26 April 1933, Page 8

PRISONERS IN RUSSIA.

CONVINCED OF INNOCENCE

returned men examined. AN AUTHORITATIVE STATEMENT. (Official Wireless.) (Received April 26, 1.30 p.m.) RUGBY, April 24. The four British engineers who were deported from Russia visited the Foreign Office to-day and had a long conversation with the Foreign Secre : tary and officials of the department. Sir Esmond Ovey, the British Ambassador, who was recalled to London for a consultation was present. Before proceeding, to the Foreign Office the engineers were engaged in consultation with Sir Felix Pole and other directors of the Metropolitan Vickers Company. After a meeting held later, the company issued the following statement: "The whole matter of the recent trial was discussed with the engineers who were entirely unable to account for, or explain the arrest of the Metropolitan Vickers employees.” Mr Monkhouse said he was absolutely satisfied that the company’s instruction that they must concern themselvqs only with Metropolitan Vickers Company’s work and be scrupulously careful not to take part •in political or other controversy affecting the Government- of U.S.S.Rhad been faithfully observed by all the staff. The company after listening to the verbal reports of the four engineers, are more than ever convinced of the innocence of - 'Messrs Thornton and MacDonald.

INNOCENCE INSISTED ON.

GOVERNMENT’S ACTION JUSTIFIED

(Received April 26, 10.15 a.m.) LONDON, April 25

In the House of Commons Sir John Simon said that the returned Moscow engineers insisted that Thornton and MacDonald were completely innocent. He was convinced that the Govern' ment’s action was entirely justified. Mr Stanley Baldwin, in reply to Mr G. Lansbury, said: “I think a debate on the Russian embargo would not at present help tthe imprisoned • engineers.”