Evening star., 1933-04-15
Allan Monkhouse, Defendant,
Catches Court Off Guard
to Make Accusation.
STATEMENT CAUSES
SENSATION AT HEARING
Chief of English Engineers Is
Second to Make Vigorous
Defense at Moscow.
BY the Associated Press

BY the Associated Press.
MOSCOW. U. S. S. R., April IS
Allan Monkhouse, chief of the six
British engineers on trial here on
charges of espionage, sabotage and
bribery, dramatically protested to the
Soviet court today that the whole trial
was "a frame-up against the Metro
politan -Vickers Co. engineers, based on
evidence of .terrorized prisoners"
After listening to the statements of
Soviet citizens yesterday and the day
before he asserted at the opening of
today's session, ''it is perfectly clear
to me that this case Is a frame up
against the ropolitan-Vickers Co.
engineers, based on evidence Of ter
rorized prisoners.
II know from my own experience
when / was arrested and subjected to
18 hours continuous examination-"
he continued But at that point he
was interrupted by presiding Judge
Vassili Ulrich. The judge ruled Monk
house, who spoke in English. had no
right to make the declaration at this
time
Caught Court Of Guard.
Catching the prosecution and court
entirely off guard. Nonkhouse arose in
the prisoners dock, and in Russian,
requested permission to make a state
ment.
Judge Ulrich nodded assent Monk
house, gray-haired, middle-aged,
square-j -jawed 6-footer, stepped before
the judges table.
He got only as far as the words
"terrorized prisoners" when Judge
Ulrich interrupted in Russian.
Judge Ulrich rejoined: Declarations
are not permitted and you may say
everything you wish in your last
speech" evidently referring to the ques-
tioning the court gives every prisoner
just before the verdict is announced as
to whether they wish to say anything
further
Monkhouse, however, continued in
English: Il know from my own ex-
perience when I was arrested and SUBJ
jected to l8 hours continuous exam
nation"
Judge Ulrich interrupted with: IT
cannot permit you to make a statement
in behalf of all the accused British
prisoners. You will be questioned to-
day or tomorrow since you wish to
make declaration and will have an
opportunity then to say what you
wish"
Monkhouse's action. which was the
second vigorous attempt of the British
to fight back at charges made against
them, threw the court room into mo-
mentary confusion. Clasps of surprise
swept the audience which had grown
used to the apparent docility of the
Englishmen during the first three days
Of the trial
After saying, during his examination
by the prosecutor today, that one of the
Russian defendants had not told the
truth, John Cushny asked the courts
permission to make a declaration. but
Judge Ulrich refused his request.
Il want to make a declaration now"
Cushny, black-haired, 35-year-old vet
eran of the British Army Air Corps. de-
clared when the prosecution had fin
lshed with him as witness.
No" said NJ Ulrich politely. "our
rules of procedure prevent any declara-
ton by you at this time and I cannot
make an exception in your case"
So you do not allow me to speak?"
rejoined Cushny, who speaks fluent
Russian.
I have explained the rules to YOU l."
snapped the judge. Il do not propose