The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-07-04
YOUTH GUILTY,
FACES 2Q-YEAR
SENTENCE
jury Returns Verdict
In s Minutes in Jap
Plot Case

LOS ANGGAE0, July N4'AN'O'''
Convicted of espionage against
his native country-a crime which
would carry the death penalty
were this country at war-Henry
Thomas Thompson, young for
mer sailor, today spent his In
dependence Day in jail awaiting
a 20-year prison sentence.
After less than five minutes
elaboration late yesterday a jury
of IL business men convicted
Thompson of boarding battle
ships and obtaining important
naval secrets which he sold to
agents of the Japanese govern.
ment.
Officials Worried
A score of Japanese and United
States officials watched the pro-
ceedings with interest, and were
particularly apprehensive when it
was testified that Thompson,
after his arrest, sought the aid of
the japanese consulate here.
This testimony came from a
pretty japanese waitress, Janet
Ono, mystery woman" in the
case, who befriended the young
former sailor. She said that she
took a personal message from
Thompson's cell to the consulate.
Indicted with Thompson on 10
counts of violation of the espion-
age act was Lieut.. Comdr. ToShio
Miyazaki of the imperial Japanese
navy, who assertedly paid Thomp-
son 5000 a month with many
bonuses for the secret data.
Fled to Japan
Miyazaki is said to have fled to
Japan and secret service men who
uncovered the sensational case
here today indicated they would
not seek to extradite him.
When the quick guilty verdict
was returned, Thompson dropped
all the daring which led him
openly to pilfer documents from
warshipS and broke into a per-
spiration.
He turned red and wrung his
hands. but made no comment.
Federal Judge Leon Yankwich,
who is to sentence the spy Mon
day, praised the jury for it's find
ing and termed the crime "of the
most craven sort"
The most damning evidence
against Thompson was two letters
introduced by the prosecution.
One of these assertedly was writ.
ten by Miyazaki to Thompson
and contained instructions and
requests for more naval secrets.
Quit japanese Service
The second letter, of which
Thompson admitted the author
ship, was addressed to Miyazaki
and in it the former sailor IRE
signed from the service of the
Japanese government"
Thompson and Miyazaki are
said to have operated in Los
Angeles and SsR~-BiCgo naval
areas fora year ending last sum-
mex. During that time, Thompson
boarded ships, taking lists Of
maneuvers, schedules, gun and
equipment specifications off bulle-
tin boards, besides invading Of
ficers' quarters to steal secret
documents.
He was arrested four months
ago on a technical charge of H.
legally wearing a naval uniform,
after his former roommate, Will
lard j. Turntine, went to a staff
officer of Admiral Joseph M.
Reeves and said that Thompson
had told him he was working
for the Japanese government"
Turntine was the American Gov
ernment'S star witness. Other wit
nesses included San Francisco
Japanese bankers who testified
that Miyazaki opened accounts in
the name of the Imperial Japanese
navy and wrote several checks to
Thompson, and Secret Service
men who told of the long inveSti-
cation which led to the indict-
ments.
Letters Clinch Case
It was the letters. however,
which clinched the case for the
Government When Thompson
took the stand and said he had
given Miyazaki nothing but news
paper clippings" Judge Yankwich
termed the defense IAN insult to
this court"
The letter of resignation was
addressed to TAM" which the
Government claims is the name
of Miyazaki in his espionage work.
It read:
my Dear TAM: respectfully
request that this letter be
treated as my resignation from
the service of your cOuntryland.
1t is with great reluctance and
regret that I am leaving the
service of Japan. OF my own
free will l am rendering my
resignation to the Japanese gov
eminent. I have enjoyed every
moment in the service Of your
country. hope all the infOrma-
ton that has come to you
through me has amply repaid
you for the salary paid me-
It was signed, Harry T. Thomp-
SON"