THE CHINA MAIL, TUESDAY, MAY 5, 1953.
MY MEETING WITH
A
SECRET AGENT
SI looked with horror at the German name board at the frontier station the plain-clothes man laughed and told us not to be afraid for we were on a Swiss train travelling for a short way through Ger- man territory to Schaffhau-
train sped back through Switzerland Luteyn and
gen.
As
the
Switzerland. The other postened the guest of the British military showed Swiss girls in tradi- attache and his pasistant. tonal dance. This I addressed
in English to the Kommandant
A Swiss ducter who examined of Oneg IVe, Oberst Prawitz, me found no sericus Injury: Colditz, near Leipzig. Germany, he prescribed three weeks' rest in the country and I was sent to his charming chalet, Rosengar- len, not for from Berne.
"Deur Obers!-1 am glad to be able to inform you that my friend and I have arrived rafely for our holiday in Switzerland, We had a pleurant journey, The
in suffering the matmum of
I hope that you convenience,
of
"THEY HAVE THEIR EXITS" CHAPTER 14
By
AIREY NEAVE
D50, OBE, MC
appearance, particularly when he wore n beret basque, He escaped from an Oilag not far from the Swiss border in 1941. It is sad to record that he was killed in action in Normandy In July, 1944.
I met Hugh Woollatt at a tumbledown hotel where wn. with me a little suitcase full of WITC to stay the night, taking
ngent had clothes which the given me. As we talked un old crept down the creaking stairs of the hotel and pushed a
crono
J talked happily to English like will not get sent to the Russian mild dissipation, made many registration book in front of us.
children going school holiday.
hane for the
Police headquarters in Schaff hausen was a pleasant, clean We place with a roaring fire. were taken for interrogation in to the main office. The police officers asked me Ittle of * military nature and soumed enly Interested in conditions in Ger- nany. I delivered a long perur tion on Germans in general to
Amusement
the great police. I referred Buches.
ef, the to therm
"Please do ni refer to the Germans us Buches. Lieutenant
Neave. You inust remember- that we are cutral," said
police official, and winked dis-
"You will creetly.
be under
hotel arrest for a few days," he pald
"H
節
"JOTEL Priest" involved con- Ainenten in a small but comfortable hotel in the centre of Schaffhausen. We straightaway urdered a steak apiece and bottle of wine. The proprietor joined us in celebration
Hi
very Phortly I was so drunk that I spoke no connected language. mixing in my sentences Ger- man, French, English and even of Toll-h. The sinaitering
the
good proprieter, sceing effeci of alcohol upon escape prisonera, ushered us upstairs to a room with two pure-white where we lay down and bed Immediately lost consciousness.
Those halcyon days of "hotel arreal" passed swiftly. Buying two picture pustcards of Schaft- hausen from the proprietor addressd one to a the camp and message, previously agreed, indicate our safe
arrival
Mz re-
Front on iny arount. gards t Hauptmani Priem. Yours sincerely, M. S. Na Lieutenant, Royal Artillery."
We did not send either post- card for some weeks after our exape; for there was so far no sign of our co-escapert John Hyde-Thomson and Latutenant Donkers, Years afterwards heard that when the officiala at Ulm learned of our disappear
State Labour
unce
from the
Office they established a stronger contrul at the raliway station.
for
The arrival of two more "Dutch electrical workers" asking tickets to the frontler zone was 1oo much. John Hyde-Thomson and his friend were arrested and taken buck in Colditz.
our
We were
It was at Rosengarten that I spent my twenty-fifth birthday
weeks
followed that were passed in Fribourg at an hotel under the surveillance રમ the Swiss police. I lived a life friends among the Polish omvers
"What on earth do we interned in the neighbourhoort, became calangled with a num, now?" I asked. ber of alleged femple spies Inne attended one lecture on architec- ture at Fribourg University.
In early April, 1042, I re- reived
on urgent summons to Geneva. I knew that plans were being made for eser ped' British prisoners to leave Switzerland in secrecy, but I knew no details.
節
la
"Write a falce nrme, old boy,” sald Woollatt.
I laughed and promptly wrote my name as Oscar Wilde, Wool- latt described himself.cs Herr Albert Hall.
That evening we again met our melodramatic agent, Rober of the dark hut, who Kve us Identity papers and money—and hinted at the dangers of travel-.
MY orders were to meet a man ling through Vichy France.
wearing dark fell hat.
who would be reading a Swins periodical outside the station at Geneva.
As I came down the steps of The station I saw the nan leon-
ing against a newspaper kiosk. He seemed to be so conspicuouts thut felt he might just as well have carried a small banner with the words "Secret Agent." As I came close he looked up expectantly, and I could see that he Wax reading the periodical upside down!
"Je viens de lo port d'Aris- tide!" said I.
"Come and have a drink, mon Reutenant," said the man, wlih- out giving
the any buswer to We wandered to an password. inconspicuous bar in a side street. We both drank Pernod and, in a slight daze, I learned thai I was to esei pe over the Swiss frontier early next morn- ing with Captain Hugh Woollait, M.C.. of the. Lancashire Fusiliers.
il
Tomorrow: Meeting with Mademoiselle Jeanne.
DRAMA ON THE CORONATION ROUTE-3: Parliament Square
POLLASELY
REVENT ST.
KRIMARKET
THE PURITAN A VICTIM OF CHARLESI REFORMER IN 1633
THE STAR CHAMBER
IS A STATE TRIBUNAL, WHERE OFFENDERS AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT MAY BE TRIED WITHOUT RECOURSE TO THE COMMONS LAW. IT IS HOUSED IN PARIJAMENT SQUARE, NEAR WESTMINSTER ABBEY. TO THIS ASSEMBLY COMES THE CASE OF
WILLIAMS PRYNNE.
PRYNNE IS BROUGHT BEFORE THE STAR CHAMBER. HE IS FOUND GUILTY OF LIBEL. AND SENTENCED BY ARCHBISHOP LAUD.
PKYNNE VAPURITAN - LAWYER,HAS VIRITTEN A BOOK DENOUNCING. THE STAGE AS IMMORAL.
SRINE IS CONDEMNED TO PERPETUAL IMPRUŠONMENT. HE LOSES HIS EARS. HE IS PUT IN THE PILLORY AND THE LETTERS 5.L. (FEDITIOUS
LIBELLER) ARE BRANDED ON HIS FOREHEAD.
"TIMES CHANGE. CHARLESS POWER
IS WAMING FRYNNE IS RELEASED. HE ENTERS POLITICS,
MAROCE
UNLUCKILY FOR PRYNNE,**** HE PUBLISHES HIS BOOK ATER A TIME WHEN THE QUEEN HERSELF IS TAKING PART IN A PLAY. HIS REMARKS ARE - TAKEN TO REFER TO THE QUEEN
TO THE ROLES ARE REVERSED, PRYNNE AND LAUD ARE AGAIN IN COURT, BUT NOW PRYNNE IS THE
PROSECUTOR AND LAUD IS THE ACCUSED.
BARCHBISHOP L'AUDIMPEACHED TOY THER LONG® PARLIAMENT, IS FOUND GUILTY SHERS EXECUTED IN=1645. CHARLES SZEXECUTION, FOLLOWS #FOUREY
Vernon Bartlett analyses
London Express Servios..
ARS
Russia's "peace” moves
CHANGE OF HEART-OR
CHANGE OF
TACTICS?
sums
North
B
WAS talking recently in the first place by their throw doubts on the importance large
on armaments, the barrier between ordinary
Qu gain, the end the citizens in the Eastern to an old friend about natural and laudable desire for of the change in Sovici policy, And,
find that they have to Far from H. But the optimism Korean war and some lessening Western worlds has disappeared. the latest developments peace,
to which the change has, rightly of tension
might in Europe Just when we were begin-
in the Far East. "You listen to the most violent attacks
For it is that barrier which against their own governments and naturally, given the could possibly, in the Kremlin's view, ning to grow impatient with
know," he said, "I can't and the must fulsome of so easily lead us to forget the lead the Americans to withdraw makes us forget our common "hotel arrest" our prisoner in
Hugh Woollalt was
Union. The few of mast
their elementary and obvicus into
American humanity. Without it, we might imagine a world without a the Soviet wrote a short talen by train to Berne and regular afleer, Loll with
find so many of our fears of to precautions. Let us by all means shell. to delivered to
respective thin face and rather long dark war in Korea." It certainly them who have the courage
each other but let us
were absurd and ngainat such distortions accept the change. prolest in Legations. For some days I was hair, which gave him a carefree is difficult to realise what are neglected in the official con not forget the reasons for which
But a truce between East and unjustified. Even our govern- such a world would be like,, ference reports although their it is being made.
West would also face the Com- ments might find that they had munists with a danger. So con- more points in common than -but I think the effort to presence is, of course, widely
publicised. realise it is worth while.
Being unable
to hide undersiderable a danger that, in my they now realike. Malenkov's desk in the view, we are fully justified In even if the Ever since Malenkov or The fact that they are not Kremlin, I can only guess at his feeling optimistic.
Com- Malcakov und Berla, for I still themselves Communists helps to reasoning. He has to build up sole motive behind the believe that Berin is the
non-Communists
popularity. man attract other
to munist change in policy is to Own next bral ever to the with the directing.
the ten or Afiten years' time. since
Printing of
RIEX ROSS & TO 'SENINA) LYO
ON LANS.
Oriental
ZOMPANY
Distinction
The of
by
Hond
Barwny Sferany Sli
that the wo
SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST. LTD. Telephone 20002 and ask for Mr. Labrum
OVERSEAS ENQUIRIES INVITED
conference
Mr
"in strengthen his own
both
Malenkov, and Beria re favour of peace", the names of can do this by fx catch us off guard in, perhaps, tions for a war they hope tast
placed Stalin, there have been the Communists who do all the signs of a dramatic change in real preparation and organisa- Communist policy.
tion being kept in the back
· ground, ---
Let us recall only two or three of the political swallows that seem to herald a brighter year the Soviet agreement to take steps for the release of British Korea; the
civilian prisoners r
the
Overlooked
Here is one
external danger to Russia, and by calling on his people to unite behind him. Or he can do it by relieving the tension and by ap- pearing to his people as the man who con
make really peace.
10 fuini
More Contact
If there is to be a truce, there
For example, they are spending an immense amount of money and energy on prepara-
devoully
will never come-for even if all the worst ambitionz of which cash accuses the other were true, a war would be ar appalling admission of failure; ii- would-be so dublous and so of achieving costly a method would domination.
Fear Of War
een could overlooks the immenso
must also be more contact be- The first policy is becoming divided by the infamous Iron tween the peoples who are now dangerous, es Curtain. There was a time when example. Pre- uncomfortably
Re- agreement on a new Secretary- paration has been going on for Pecially, perhaps, with a administration
we were so frightened of Com- In w General for the United Nations; two years or so for a World Publican
કે No Russian could be sure In unexpected grant of visas Congress of Doctors.
most welcomed this trek of con- advance that the satellite States which power in the United States. So munist propaganda that we
le chooses the second polley. ct. In for a group of American editors wouki doubtless give oppor Hence the release from Russian c
fact,
we wero particular, to visit Russia; the am
for fresh amnesty for tonitica
whether the Federal would remain loyal. No Ameri resolutions pris
prisons and labour Soviet about the
camps of not sure prisoners inside
American use thousands of Russians guilty of Republic in Western Germany strides made by Communism in Union: the
to resume of bacteriological warfare proposal
in wir
such as arrive would succumb to Communist two world conflicts, for Com Four-Power taiks over Germany; Koren, the horrors of the atomic minor misdeeds,
the factory, or if it were to be reunited with munism is the product of misery Hing late and, of course, the Chinese
and so on. The fact that
Eastern Germany. fact that falling
production offer to exchange prisoners of the Americans have, time after
and discontent, and another war quotas, Hence, too, the pro- war in Koren on terms they had
But since the beginning of would create far more Com- munists than would kill. Each previously rejected with insult. demanded an impartial pasals in Korea and the
inquiry into these bacteriologi- policy of co-operation in the 1953, East Germans have crossed and contempt. What can it all col allegations and a genuine United Nations.
into Western Germany by the Covernment would prefer to spend less on armaments and International control of atomic
thousand; and there could be no better indication that the
on making its people of course,
Ger- more weapons fond of are
veniently overlooked.
mans will be immune to Com- strong and contented. change of heart
munism for a long time to come. We should realize how much in Russia before there can be
And while they try tu
more than the fear of another any relaxation of tension be organise their World Congress
Aguin, Poland, Hungary and This second policy also gives Eastern Germany are, in normal were not all so mleted by name
war we have In coinmon If we tween East and West. This has of Doctors, the
Communists to always seemed me rather have caused every
to advantages Communist rertain.
the times, exporters of food on and absurd; a heart is not something Slate to withdraw
doctors Communists, In the last two or large scale, but in recent menthand slogans. The Russians Claim to be Communists but they from the three years the Western Powers none of them has been abic have developed a class society can change to order. The and other expertsiention. This have been lurning out far more adequately to feed its own peo-
mean?
Some people demanding
one
prospect ahead is not that of a World Health
Less Dangerous
Itz
the
con-
Advantages
far more
new
So
The
of
of
EL
ول
the Eastern Powers Russian change of heart, but of body is making practical efforts than
in ple, mainly because the peasants cast as pronounced as our The a Russian change of tactics, on behalf of the United Nations the
of armaments. way Lenin, many years ago, wrote of to raise health standards all Unit
their capitalist "free enterprise," United States,
are in revolt against the policy. The Americans boast of for example of collectivised farms. The Com they have taken a policy of tactical retreat, over the world: yet
produces Com-
steel than
munist governments iheat strides in the last Kymen
years That, I think; is what we are munist
members of the United the Soviet Union: if the Ameri- countries are desperately we towards the creation now witnessing.
Nations
cans are sufficiently alarmed to popular except among the very welfare pay not one cent kuns
state, Britain's own divert that steel from motor to
this work, but av
lastic national health Insurance enthusiastic support
to guns and tanks, then young, who
Largely they spend I don't know how cars
because the Iron Curtain much more complete than those they can build up a most mrikes it many thousands of pounds on
possible for their of which the Communlar Sintes organisations that tend to dis- formidable striking force,
the most obvious policy is to fantastic
leaders to All them up will are so proud. rupt the United Nations.
nonsense about the reduce that American alarm,
Lives and ambitions of ordinary And if the selual Aghting in folk in the Western world. and when the Communists were Rights of Youth" was recently Korca can be ended, crilletsm of
So it seems that we should spending on armaments co-operating with other political held in Vienna.
Its resolutions heavy parties in a united front against favoured a reduction of military would be much more effective in have everything to gain if the Fascism. I don't suppose that service, especially in the NATO the United States than in the Iron Curtain were to disappear. the Ications of
of the Russian countries, although conscription Soviet Union, where, indeed, it providing we keep three points, Communist Party have modified is, in fact, much more severe in would not be allowed at all. In the least their desire for the Soviet Union.
We have seen it before- for example, when Litvinov was One more small example, A Commissar for Foreign Affairs "Conference In Defence of the
world domination; they have
merely come to the conclusion
that they must pursue their aim
by different and less dangerous www..
Building Up
in mind.
The Barrier
Iron Curtain 1701
In the Union of Souili Africa,
where men speak with fear and fury about the Fabian! Hecletr and the Britsh Labour Pirly, It has always been taken for From the purely material
granted that the railway and point of view, a long truce be-
other means of transport tween East and West should be
belong to the State. The best much more valuable to tho
State hotels I have found itny Russians, who are still in
the One is that there should be where in the world are process of turning a backward some kind of guarantee that an Fradco Spain. And I have not There were also expressions agricultural State
Into
a great armistice in Korea will not mean the slightest doubt that vipeople Three and a half years ago the of Indignation over the treat-
Industrial one, than Cominform newspaper ment of youth in the Colonies, Americans, who
to the only that the Chinese transfer are equally sincere on each side official
have already their troops from that grim of the Iron Curicin in belleving printed detalls about the ways of which, of course, the Soviet
much higher in peninsula to the much more im- that their own form of govern- in which the Communista - Union has none. But nothing called "Peace" Campaign was to was said about young people in dustrial level than any other portant territory of Indo-China. ment is, the best for mankind.
In the world. be carried out-how conferences the Russian forced were to be organised of trado camps. unionists, aclantists, youth
leaders,
groups, religious Journalists and so on, who
labour
renched a
The second point Is that the Communists must abandon their But the Iron, Curtain is noË Of. A long truce may have other polley of aliaring up the back our malding. It is not barikadt ir:
Mr Malenkov's ward peoples of the world to re the permission to ten American Africare delegates had been advantages in in invited, all expenses paid, from eyes. His Communist textbooks volt, the problems of race relus editors to visual ikh Item the tions in Africa and Southern of news, reported in newspapers Northern Rhodesia, and other. Eave taught him that remote territories. One wonders capitalist system contains the Asle would be tragically dim- all over the world has a de woods of fis own destruction, cult even if everybody acted file more than welcome the why... -The technique at all//ima
and Western Ananose might be with patience, good, faith and Russlan stops towards peace. conferences bĩa boén, the sattama I remind you of such come chaotle if it were obvious good will. The third point is that And, of course, hope that there wall-morning delegades, attracted matters, it is not that I want to ly unconssary to spend subt there can be no real pouco until will be still more of them,
the words of the statement
were "in Kavour of penice",
4
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