AN EXILED TRAITOR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2382, 24 December 1908, Page 10 (Supplement)

AN EXILED TRAITOR.

ARRIVAL AT SYDNEY

SECRETS SOLD TO' _ GERMANY. Confined in a specially constructed cell, and guarded both, day and night by special warders, a young military officer is at present on board the French mail steamer Australien lying at Mailer’s Point (says a recent ".Sydney Morning Herald”) condemned for selling his country’s secrets to another Power, and will pass the remainder of his days as a convict in New Caledonia. Louis Berthon, up to the time of his conviction, was a lieutenant of artillery in the French Reserves, and was stationed at Bourge. .Popular with his comrades, and trusted by his superior officers, he appeared to have a brilliant career before him. He was .admitted into exclusive circles in Paris, and his position as military officer gave him access to many sources of information. He was free to speak to whomsoever he chose, and became the repository ol mudh confidential knowledge. In this way he been me possessed of some of the military secrets of France, and, thirsting for money, he committed the worst of all crimes—lie became a traitor to his country. While in Paris he engaged as a spy on behalf of Germany, and consented for R monetary consideration to divulge valuable and private information. The Germans with .whom he was in treaty feared that the French authorities would discover the treachery of one of their officers, and in order that the conspiracy might be developed with greater security an appointment was made with Berthon in Brussels, in Belgium. By one of the most extraordinary csincidences that only seem to happen in tragic events, a French lawyer happened to occupy the adjoining room to Berthon at the hotel in Brussels where he temporarily stayed. The German confederates ol : Berthon visited him at his quarters soon after his arrival, nnd the conversation was overheard by the French lawyer. The plot was soon discovered. "The French lawyer gathered from the conversation between the traitor and his German visitors that Berthon hud sold the specifications of and torpedoes to the Germans. What other military seorets he had parted with could not be definitely ascertained from the conversation, but both Bortlion and his confederates were off their guard, and said more in public than they would have done in Paris. The lawyer immediately telegraphed to tho Prefect of Police in Paris (Mons. Lepine), informing him that on a certain train that would arrive at the .North Station (Gare du Nord) was an anarchist, who intended to make an attempt on the life of the President of the Republic. The sender of the message added 1 that .he would closely follow the anarchist, and would on arrivuA indicate him to the officers of police. Mons. Berthon did not suspect that ho was being followed or that his crime had been discovered'. He a■lighted on. the station with a firm step, but the Frcuch lawyer, faithful to his pledge, was close at his heels, and immediately on tho appearance of the detectives shouted "Arrest him,” pointing in the direction of Berthon. The prisoner, who even then did not realise what had happened so quickly, submitted quietly, and was conducted to the cells to await his trial. In tho meantime .special officers had been deputed to search the reside lico of .Berthon, find there found a number of documents of a compromising character. Inquiries were made, and a woman who resided at the same ' address was also placed under arrest Berthon and the woman, who is believed l to be his wife, were arraigned before the Criminal- Court (Cour. d’Assise) on July 27. The solicitor for Berthon requested that the case should be heard with closed doors, and in compliance with his expressed desire the public as well as the representatives of the press were excluded from the Court. The Court, however delivered judgement an public. It transpired that Berthon,-when asked what he had to say in reply to the charge .brought against him, acknowledged his guilt. iHc made an appeal to the Count to transport him to a healthy colony where he might be accompanied by - his wife. The Court was merciful, and .notwithstanding the gravity of the offence acceded to his wishes. The sentance pronounced by the 'Court, therefore, was that .Berthon should be transported to New Oledouia'for Jife»