THE BORKUM ESPIONAGE CASE
at
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, JANUARY 17TH, 1911
At this point Captain Tägert, an Admiralty General Staff expert, was swOM/"
Captain Tronch denied that his report on Wangeroog was sent to England, and he main taized that in this caso too, the references in his notes were to the naval Baedeker
;
Tägert went on to state that in addition to the. BARCLAY,
searchlights the position of the howitzer battery: was also marked on the map, and there were also sketches of Friedrichsert and Cuxhaven, Thero were photographs of the fortifications at the lat». ter place and sketches of particular batteries, with their strength. A certain howitzer battery had been explored with portionlar accuracy, and there
PERKINS
FAMOUS
wore also esúmates of the area of fire and die- LONDON STOUT.
Lieutenant Brandon-In the "Baedeker" it says that there is a certain building in a certain place. I noted that the building was not there.
Captain Trench remarked that it was not com. tances. There were also close descriptions of] mory to answer the questions from the the searchlight position and construction of "Baodoker." Officers who travelled ecpid Busholter work. From a dyke the angles were awer them or not as they liked.
taken with two churches on the mainland, and Lieutenant Brandon said that the allusion the position of the fortifications entered on the in his note to a hailding corresponding to remap in accordance with these observations.
Captain Tagert stated that ho had examined ported description" was intended for the novel
the massurements and found them extra- ordinarily accurate.
TRIAL OF BRITISH OFFICEES, Lieutenant Brandon, RN, and Captain Tronoh, B.M.L.I., appeared on December 21st before the Supreme Court of the Empire at Leipzig to answer a charge of espionaga at Borkum and elsewhere in August last. Lieutenant Brandon was arrested close to some military works at Borkum on the night August 21, and Captain Tronoh shortly after wards at a hotel at Ender. After a pre Uminary examination before the local Courte Emden, evidence was laid before the Supreme Court of the Empire, Towards the end
The_Presiding Judge was soxious to know of October the German a thorities,
the why the word "report" was used if it did not after preparing ปล
against Jako prisoners, submitted the dossier to the military refer to a report made by Lieutenant Brandon prid more thorities, with the result that the latter replied that reported" was used in the sense of “allegat." In his note he said, two floors are being proceeded against under
"a closed building corresponding to report does the Imperial Law of July, 1893, "against the betrayal of military secrets. They were remov. ed from Emden to Leipzig early in Baptezuber, and have been confined in prison there for the last three months. They have not been allowed to see each other since arrest.
The trial was held before thirteen Judges in the great cak-panelled hall of the Imperial Cont Buildings. The examination of the prisoners, which began immediately after the assembling of the Court at 9 o'clock, was con dubted partly Dr. Mange, the President, and partly by Dr. weigert, the Attorney-General of the Empire, tho is leading the prosecution. Towards the coldusion important oridose was given for the roseontica by Captain Tigert, the chief nave representative. The prisoners were defended by Dr von Gordon, of Berlin, and Dr. Utto, Leipzig.
THY EVIDENCE.
'Bnedoker,"
not arist." e
...
This point gave rise to a close discussion.
A LETTER IN CIPHER,
It may be mentioned that a letter in cipher from a Liantenant Peel to Lieutenant Erandes was found among the accused's papers. Captain Trench denied that this letter was from the Director of the Intelligence Bureau of the Admiralty,
The Prosiding. Judge pointed out the paper bore the official watermark, but Captain Trench declared that anybody could get such paper.
The watermark is a grow with the losters 8. 0., and it was suggested that this paper was used in British barra-ka
was from Lieutenant Peel, who was not in Captain Trench maintained that the letter
connection with the Admiralty Intelligence Burean
Captain Tögert described the functions of the British Intelligence Bures
Captain Tranch-We want together to see the searchlight and became separated.
Lientonsut BmadonThe light was working. same to a wire fence new. I ought not to
On the skotanes dealing with Heligoland, the quick-firing battery was marked, with measure- mants of the distance of some of thegun positions from one another. The distances from extrem ities of the batteries to the lighthouse were also measured. Further, the gun. positions on the south-east and north-west were accurately sket ohiod. It was the same in the case of Wan- geroog, of which very close measurements had been taken, which, in the opinion of Captain Tigert, wors prejudicial to the interests of national defence.
Lisatonant Brandon's notes on this place] were as follows:
"Landing piers so high, so long, so brand. Milk and eggs come from Elie main.. land. Only five buildings on the west side. Seon no building which can contain mines. The benson furthest out is occupied and hag telegraph."
ON SALE.
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· RATES OF EXCHANGE AT
HONGKONG
For Demand Drafts on London on the day of or proceeding the departure of the English Mails; also Table of the Yearly Approximate Averages for 36 years
FROM 1874 to 1909.
Price
The main wort of the prosecution has been to establish connection botwes, the prisoners And the Brit Intelligence Service. The ox-
LIDUTENANT BEANDON'S ARREST. amization etred throughout the morning's proceedings certain communications which The President-Yu went to Berkum to. porson | gether and there separatod.. You did not go passed boten the prisoners and a named "Brie," who, according to the press-about together f cution, watched to the Lutelligence Depart ment of admiralty; and on the use by the prisoners aval Badekapparently a publica of the British Admiralty for the Dorrectie arrors in which they were alleged "to harsh collecting information. The pris- Oneed to discuss the questiph of con pectiontween "Reggie" and the British Admin and stated that it was no part of their hy" to collect information for the a* Baddeker. Officers were merely at liber This general line of the defence Volunteer such information if thoy plea has to dispata the "secrecy" of the Infoion collected and to maintain that it is for most part obtainable without trespass or
THE COURT AND THE PRESS.
$2 Cash. On sale at the "Dang | go over. I did so and want to the gun positions, Press" Office, or Local Booksellers. where I was arrested, an
the adjournment for lancheon the y-General urged that it was to the in not only of the pris: mare, but of Germany, the proceedings should be public, Tho h Frees was always assorting that Ger. ovidence would show that England was was planning an invasion of England,
fering an attack upon Germany. To-day's nce was accordingly given in open Court, a few figures and measurements being ressed. The majority of these with the tion of landing facilities at Splt and other which Captain Tigert declsred to be of Paroolest military importance, The Coart
|
Captain Trench-E had been to the battery previously alone and then told Liontenant Brandon that he ought to go there. I desire to tell the whole truth to-day.
The President Very commendable of you! fonce, then explained that Captain Prenob at the Judicial Conncillor von Gordon, for the de-
preliminary examination bad misrepresented, to a certain extent the incident now being gone into, and Captain Tronch theu cleared the matter up, "I got into the battery, having been saying. separated accidentally from Lieutenant Brandon. one cat and mot Lieutenant Brandon. I told him to go in, which he did. Lientenant Brandon was then arrested.
Leutenant Brandon at this stage of the pro. ceedings definitely refused to any anything more about the identity of "Reggie"
all about the second journey mentioned in the Captain Trench declined to say anything at letter from "Reggie," which he had planned..
Lieutenant Brendon Reggie" isn personal friend of mine. Sunburat London is his private telegraphic address)
THE COURT AND THE FRESS..
e shortly after 3 o'clock, and will resume tinterrupted the further development of the Dr. Zweigert, the Imperik Prosecutor, grow morning when the proceedings, it is derstood, will be secret, Captain Helfritz, examination of the prisoners by requesting that e military expert, doclaring that his evidence An only be given in cameras
THE EXAMINATION. The President of the Court first examined *he prisonera as to their origin and peat service.
They both declared that they had read the indictmont against them.
Captain Trench described his previous visits to Germany.
"BEGGIE."
Lisuterant Brandon, in reply to the Court mud that he was in the Admiralty Survey Service. He had never travelled abroad with Captain Trench before. Ho intended to collect information and place it at the disposal of a third person
The President-Who was this person ? Lieutenant Breadon--I will call him "Reg. gie." though that is not the person's name. He then spelled the name out to the President.
The President-You do not wish to designate Reggie" more nearly?.
antenant Brandon-No.
Captain Trench was then examined. He said:
The plan originated with me. I first came to Denmark Tontonant Brandon was then still in London.
The President then inquired into the ident. ity of a parson who fupres under the name of Charles" in one of the letters of the case.. Lieutenant Brandon had said that it meant him self. This Captain Trench confirmed, adding that the "John Biroh" who figured in their correspondence referred to himself.
A letter was then read in Court in which both these names occurred.
Captain Trench-"Reggie" is connected with the Intelligence Bureau of the Admiralty. Pressed further on the point, Captain Trench refused to say what that connection was.
A: KAVAL “BAEDEKEE." Questioned us to the report on Cuxhaven, Capt. Trench said-I wrote it while in England, It was compiled from a book-a sort of naval "Boedoker." I do not wish to say how I got the -book. It cannot be bought. Only officers can get it.
In answer to another question, Captain Trench told the presiding Judge that he left Kiel on Angust 6 and went to Brunsbüttel. There," be said, "I received a list of questions I answered those with reference to certain small quick-firing guns.
Questioned with reference to certain photo- graphs of Cuxhave », Lieutenant Brandon declar. ed he did not know it was forbidden to take photographe at the place iudicated and he had. seen no notice forbidding it. Lieutenant Bran- don informard the Judge that he had a list of questions to answer with regard to Cuxhaven.
Lientenaut Brandon described how he went with a guide to Heligoland and made notes concerning the new harbour there.
Asked why he noted his observation on spostcards instead of in his notebook and it the cards were sent to England, Captain Tronch denied that he had forwarded the cards. It was merely as a matter of convenience that he made
as far as poksible the proceedings should be public. The British Press had, he said, told the British public that Germana ware continually. spring in England in preparation for invasion.
He continued Here are two British officers on the active list whose papers and admissions show plainly that they came here to gather information which would only serve to facilitate an unforeseen attack on Germany. For this reason, the utmost publicity is desirablo.
At noonthe Court adjourned for half an hour. The President stated before the Court rose that he agreed to the proposal of the Imperial Prosecutor that the base should be conducted as far as possible with open doors.
THE LANDINGS AT KYLT.
Oa resumption of the case Captain Tägert stated that the notes found as to the length and width of the landing, stages and depth of water at Sylt, Amram and other islands were undoubtedly military information intended to facilitate a landing. This view he based on the British Admiralty landing regulations. Accord ing to the accused these notes were intended for Daglish aaral book to be need in times of been there in time of peace, and them could be. peace English warships had, however, vever
no object in compiling notes of this kind. Therefore, in the opinion of the witness, the Dotos could only be intended for use in time of
war.
|
The
Leading Brand
ENGLAND.
The
PORTLAND & ASIATIC S.S. CO.
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For PORTLAND, VIL MOJI, KOBE & YOKOHAMA, (WITH LIBERTY
STEAM HET "STRATHLYON"
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TONE. 4,400... 3,807.
CAPTAIN
J. R. Show Eivind Meyer...
TO SAIL
On 18th Jan., at Nook
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[49
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[47
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18
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& YOKOHAMA MANILA, YAP ANGAUR, NEW
Brian Capt. E. MALOHow, 16,000
GUINEA, BRISBANE, SYDNEY & MELBOURNE
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Captain Tüzert proceeded, by means of a chart, to explain his views at length. In land- ing operations Sylt, he declared, was of prime importance as a point d'appui and the landing stages on the faland had been measured and photographed in great detail by the accused, who KUBE & YOKOHAMA..... ..... bad also procured picture postcards. They had, morever, noted the shallows which they had found while bathing.
mggested
that Counsel for the defence measurements of depths made in this way could be of no importance, as the tides were not taken into secount.
Witness did not agree, and proceeded to read some of the notes. He pointed out that the measurements were not merely estimated but wore actually taken.
Captain Traneb admitted that he had paced the landing stages, but he had only made an estimate of the depth of the water. Ideutenant Brandon also- maintained that he had gone so firther than to estimate the depths and calculate certain lengths by pacing. He had never made sotasl measure- ments. Witness, however, thought it was probable that witnesses had secured lodnite mea surements, since a compess, a Bortant, a lead, and other instruments bad been found,
"The notas made by Captain Treneli with re- gard to Sylt
were than read ont, but in passages figures and names were omitteds Breakwaters, coalsheds, e aleteres here. There are no granes. Railway lines by bridge bridge yards long, x yards wide. Cement wall all round promenade. Wells in all villages. Indifferent roads. White reefs not visible at flood tide.”
OTHER OBSERVATIONS.
Other documents were found containing ques. tions regarding landing bridges and landing stations on Norderney. Some of the questions
04
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FARES TO LONDON (Including Surtax):
1er SALOON £71.10 SINGLE £106.14 RETURN. 2ND
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IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE MAIL STEAMERS INTERME DAITE NON-TRANSHIPKENT) STEAMERS WILL IHAVE TÕE
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CARRYING BALOON PASSENGERS AT REDUCED RATES
STEAMERS
• SUNDA
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PROPOSED BAILINGS:
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Dae LONDON
Tonnage
about
about
4700 Jannery
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6660
March
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4600 April
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3
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These Steamers call also at SINGAPORE, PENANG, COLOMBO, and at MARSEILLES. FARES TO LONDON (Including Surtax)
1er BALOON £55.0 SINGLE £8210 RETURN. 2ND
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• Carry 1st and 2nd Saloon Passengers. For further Particulars, apply to~~
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About 7th February, Telegraphlo. New
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All the Steamers of the European Line are fitted with Wireless System of Telefunken.
For Further Partioalars, apply to
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NORDDEUTSCHER LLOYD, MĚLCHERS & 00., GENERAL AGENTS HONGKONG & CHINA.
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ON APRIL
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ON APRIL 19TH.
Chpt, O. FARNKE.
notes on cards. He went to Sylt to get had the suswers written against them. One information with regard to different matters, Inelading the economic condition of the inhabi qestion had reference to a closed building anus for the mural" Brodeker before alladed which, according to the report of 1957, served CALLING AF NAPLES, GENOA, ALGIERS, GIBRALTAR AND SOUTHAMPTON to, and the places where most could be bought, for military purposes" The position of the searchlights of Kiel was also asked for. This, it
the connections between the island and England, &u. Captain Trench then went for two or three days to Norderney, where he made observations, -On August 16 he went to Wangeroog.
The President-What was interesting there! Captain Trench-There is a oburch tower n't the end of the island, which was curious, a that is an uninhabited part of the island.
ant point, as a raiding flest would know from was explained by Captain Tögert, was an import- the position of the searchlights whence to expect
the first shots from the land.
Counsel for the defence intervened to point out that Captain Trench had made no surveys in Kiel, na he had not the macessary instruments. Captain
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Early booking recommended,
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* Twin SoreWE."
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SAILING DATER.
........ SATURDAY, SATURDAY, SATURDAY, FRIDAY, FRIDAY, FRIDAY,
21st Jan, at P.M. 28th Jan, at1 P.M. 11th Fab, stl P.M. 17th Feb, at 1.P.M. 24th Feb., at1 P.M.. 3rd March, at 1 P.M. 10th March, at I.P.M 17th March, at 1 PM 24th March, 1.M Via Manils.
All Steamers are Equipped with Wirelesa Telegraphy.": THE PM. 8.8. MANCHURIA" will be despatched for BAN FRANCISCO VIK SHANGHAI, NAGASAKI, KOBE, YOKOHAMA and HONOLULU, on SATURDAY, 21st January, at 1 P.M.
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INTERMEDIATE SERVICE.
9,500 Tons...... SATURDAY, 4 4th Feb., at 1 P.M. CHINA.........10,200 Tons..... FRIDAY, 31st March, at 1 P...
HE S.S.ASIA "will leave for SAN FRANCISCO VIA SHANGHAI, NAGASAKI, KOBE, TOKORAMA AND HONOLULU, on SATURDAY, 4th February, at 1 Pat On the Fine MAIL Steamora, ASIA and CHINA, FIRST CLASS. SALOON SERVICE is furnished at Intermediate Rates. FARES, HONGKONG TO LONDON vis New York
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***
: £45.
£25.
AGENT.
[48
+