New-York tribune., 1896-11-22
WOMEN AS SECRET AGENTS.
THEIR SERVICES TO FOREIGN GOVERN
MENTS-GENERAL JUNG AND
HIS WIFE.

simultaneously with the news from Paris that
the French Government is about 10 reopen the
case Of ex-Captain Dreyfus. having recently come
into possession OF new evidence ot nature TO
raise doubts to his guilt Of the crime Tor
which he was court-rr artialled degraded and
sentenced TO IMPRISONMENT for life at Cayenne.
comes the announcement Of the death OF Geherai
Jung. He was one Of the most clever and capaple
officers Of the French army, military historian
Of European fame. who some hfteen years ago
was charged with the same offence as that WIN
which Captain Dreyfus was charged, namely OF
having sold to the German Government the Sc
cret plans of mobilization of the French army
More fortunate than the Captain. General JUNE
who at that time a lieutenant-colonel OF
the headquarter staff, and whom call 10 mlhu
a short. thick-set man Of high color, with
long. pointed mustache. very honest pair ol
eyes. a modest and quiet manner and an agree
able voice-was able completely to clear himself
of all SUSPICION although not without bringing
about the expulsion OF his wife from France ana
the disgrace of General de Cissey OF the
heroes OF the great Franco-German conflict OF
1870 and as Minister of War intrusted with the
a-important task Of reorganizing the french
army so favorable. indeed. was the impression
created by Colonel Jung upon the court upon the
Government a upon his feiow-citzens OF
every shade Of political opinion, that from being
regarded as a traitor Of the deepest dye he be
came an object Of universal sympathy. Gam
BETA especially interesting himself In his behalf
II was due TO the powerful support Of the latter
that he subsequently appointed to one OF
the principal positions on the headquarters staff.
and at a later date Military Governor OF Dun
kirk In fact there is no doubt that had Gam
ttpo have
still higher in his profession than he did. as the
statesman had the highest opinion of his military
capacities and talents a strategist.
The career Of the Generals wife is not without
interest just at the present moment. when
Iondon paper OF large circulation gives express
son in print to a charge often made in conversa-
tion I'm Europe TO the effect that foreign gov
ernments find in American women the most etti-
cient recruits for their secret service. With the
execution OF the United States there Is probably
not a single ono Of the great Powers which does
not maintain a highly paid corps of female Gov
ernrnert agents ir addition To its regular stan
Of ambassadors ENJOYS. secretaries and attaches.
Although not officially accredited TO the various
countries the leading men If which they are des-
tined to influence. the services Of these agents
are rated by the governments. which employ
them as being sometimes Of value FAR superior
to those of any male diplomat Though they are
maid ont of the secret service fund which is at
the disposal Il every European Government
oven that II England-their names do not APP
pear on any Of the published civil service lists.
and are known with any degree Of certainty only
| by favored few. The most delicate and in
,rica,r ploccs Of work are often intrusted to
them. for which they are far better suited than
men The talent for intrigue which is acquired
bv the stcrner SEX only after years Of labor and
oxpericnce seems to bc innate in the feminine
| character Women possess a degree OF tact and
intuition for which one can search fruitlessly in
mon. Their powers Of persuasion are incompara-
hlv superior. as well a. Of a more far-reaching
| character. and In difficult situations whence a
man could emerge only With the help OF lie ~ a
coarse and discernbe texture. the woman viii
escape under the cover OF an artistic piece of
| intricate embroidery on the fimsiost and most
dlaphauous groundwork Of fact.
An AMERICAN wOMAN's SERVICES.
While there is no doubt that In cleverness,
sclf-possession. powers OF adaptability To every
! circumstance and. above all OF charm and
grace American women are particularly fitted
for work of this kind-trlbute to their qualities
in this respect being accorded by the frequency
with which European diplomats seek their
! wives among the daughters OF Uncle SAM
must confess that | know Of but one single in
stance ~ an American woman playing the role
! ~ secret agent for a foreign government. name
/ lv that Of Russia. The lady IN question lives
AZ Paris Just off the Champs Elysees. and her
! husband bears an Italian title Of Marquis though
| Il IS impossible to speak with any degree Of GER
| titude OF his nationality or antecedents. She
| gees little Of her own countrywomen. but her
| handsome salons are crowded with French and