The trial of the two English officers, Lieutenant Brandon, R.N.,
and Captain Trench, accused of espionage in Germany, began on Wednesday at Leipzig, and ended on Thursday, when they were sentenced to four years' detention in a fortress. The sentence, which will surprise no one who has followed the trial, means that they will be compelled to live within the limits of some fortified place, where, however, we understand, they will have a reasonably pleasant time, free to associate with the officers and society of the place, and to enjoy such relaxations as are available. The principal speech for the prosecution was an imposing and eloquent marshalling of evidence and exposition of law by Dr. Richter, the second law officer of the Empire. It lasted an hour and three- quarters, and sought to prove the responsibility of the Intelli- gence Department of the British Admiralty for the investiga- tions of the officers. The Court found the prisoners guilty of " attempting," as the Times correspondent says, "to convey to the Admiralty information the keeping secret of which is an essential interest of German national security." In the passing of sentence mitigating circumstances were allowed some weight. The papers, maps, instruments, and so on found in the officers' possession were ordered to be confiscated. During the trial the Court was open except when the evidence as to the defences of Borkum was being taken. The officers made no attempt to deny that they had been spying in order to offer information to the Admiralty, but they did not admit that they had been instructed by the Admiralty. Of course the Court had a perfect right to hear the Borkum evidence in camera, but it prevents us from appreciating the exact bearing on the sentence of the most serious accusations against the officers.
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