The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1888-10-03
Tue REPTILE FUND.
Prince Bismarck's Spy system over
the German Nation.

Pail Mall Gazette.
The reptile fund-so called because
OF Prince Bismarek's own phrase
consists OF the coniiscated fortune of
the King OF Hanover, together with
an unknown grant OF the war indem-
nity. Speaking of the attacks made
upon the government by the press, the
chancellor exclaimed on a memorable
occasion that rs his administration
was SO exposed 10 malignant mlsrep-
reSentations at the hands OF its adver-
saries. he did not think Il tolerable
that he should lie left unarined against
so powerful and INSCRIPTIONS foe.
II must have means, he said, with
which 10 hunt those reptiles to their
holes and destroy them there.
Hence the so-called reptile fund, which
i simply an indefinite amount Of
secret service money az the disposal OF
Prince Bismarck for controlling the
press. With its aid he is SAID to have
organized "A news service Tor the bene-
tit 81 the German government. the like
of which exists nowhere out OF the
pages Of the French novels which
describe the spy system OF Fouche.
At lis head stands Herr Holstein, the
aur daanss of Prince Bismarck, who
has Ht his NsAtAiffAfiaA A+t'1N
OF confidential reporters, who enable
him to follow unseen the movements
OF all his adversaries. The great chan
cellor never neglects any toe, no mat
ter how insignificant. The famous
third section OF the Russian police was
mere child's play compared with the
ubianitous engine OF observation
| which the chancellor has established
/ for the collection OF information
| Power. said Lord Beaconsheld,
| belongs 70 the best informed, and
| there Is no newspaper editor in Europe
| who organizes 50 systematically the
| collection and tabalation Of informa.
tioIx A. the German chancellor.
What kinds ol Information All
kinds Of information, bat chiefly that
which concerns the doings and say
invs, the movements and the writings,
OF those whom il may be necessary for
| him 20 crush. At the chancellery OF the
| secret intelligence bureau AZ Berlin,
under Herr Holsteiu, are kept The
| dossisrs ol every man or woman from
time to time IL thinks necessary %
| Prince bismarck 10 watch with a yiew
10 Interior developments. The minute.
| ness OF the information thus stored
M for future use j. very cNtraoTdi-
nary. and suggests many uncomiori-
ahle reflections 4 friend OF mine
resident In Germany once had an
lopportunity OF seeing q copy OF NJ
own dc-sier. Therein he found sci
down all particulars uI himself and
family anal his relations. \ list "a
given OF al the People whom ne wa
ltn the habit 81 receiving, and SIC
| tailed report as 10 all ths
eofres poudents 10 whom hc wS'
iu the habit 81 writing 10
this man. IL was written, lac sends let
Ter, every week 10 the other ever
| daV. 10 d third he writes sometime
twice 4 week. and then ceases 80 Y III
fsr a week or . month. The sSeleteu
thst We all try 80 keep concealed I
fbf shsdia>t rccrsSes u ear >eere
lchanters are thus kept g. rcasiy 70
mobilization as Pr0ssiaa army corps
| kFieg. moat ;eiegfapiie4 Nei
| Noiike along the wires irom hIs- y
D.. tfS-a. ans Instantly a!l the parts * IN
Ihvsq military machine httci tneEsi
| sesxes together and descended aio'
/ Fraore - la case it IS neeS- saff {
crash ur ia era uarra>s any oFponeA
a home %. abroad. Herr iiglsiein IA
| b,sf a. rves- a button and the priFst
records oi tAat opponent 41ie -
ready - hand. ta be seTvei up @ttl
Ssgiee tsi4rante ~ mas sui. the fg pig
taste Ia any al the Journals by wnitl
the incubation oi the p.llaie thiha ,
arranged for ia the Interest 81 tae AZ
. nainistration,