The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-17
1MPREGNABLE KRoNsTADT.
How an English Novelist Got the
Plans of the Fortress.
London Mail.

How an English Novelist Got the
Plans of the Fortress.
London Mail.
War and rumors of war-especially rumors
berton's "Kronstadt" comes in the very
NICK Of time, and, indeed, the following in
terview with him upon the writing of the
military novel is not without a certain sug-
gestiVenesS of resource TO the experts.
i wrote kronstadt, he began, sim
ply because have been very much fasci-
mated since my childhood by the idea of the
impregnable-the impregnable fortress the
impregnable island, that which is beyond
the enemys reach, that which can smile at
Now Kronstadt is said to be the only
impregnable fort in the world. AS young
Russian officer said TO be as we sailed up
the harbor, She is invincible, this terrible
gate of my country. We call her the tomb
of spies, for no spy has betrayed her or ever
will betray her. / went out myself to Kron-
stadt specially TO get the atmosphere of the
place / thought l would try and write a
story based on reasonable premises, that
would try and see under what conditions it
would be possible to spy out the secrets OF
kronstadt, Tor spies are very much in evil
dence since the Dreyfus case. 1t then oc-
chance whatever because he would be open
to suspicion from the very first. 1t would
be impossible for him TO approach the forts
of kronstadt, or, indeed, if he were
stranger, to reside in the town without
making his position absolutely clear TO the
Russian police. A man therefore being out
position could woman, especially an En-
glish woman, reside in Kronstadt? l then
remembered that in nearly every Russian
family OF the upper classes there is at one
time or another an English governess, and
therefore l found my spy in the person OF
the English governess to the Governor OF
Kronstadt. The fact that she has as rela-
tive a man in the English Admiralty sup
plies the direct link of cause, for, naturally,
a woman of her own initiative would never
think OF spying out any other secrets than
those or intrigue and scandal.
In my book the relative in London in
cites Marian Best to steal the plans Of
Kronstadt, and offers her large sums If she
succeeds. He sends her the well-known
book which tells how an English spy OBJ
tanned the measurements of the forts or
Vladivostock by pacing them while pre-
tending to be exercising, but who was in
reality measuring almost TO an inch the
enceinte of the fortress. / have made my
heroine obtain these measurements by the
same strategy. A young Russian officer OF
artillery falls in love with her, and uncon-
sciously helps her to play the part. Believ-
ing that he has the simplest of women to
deal WITH he takes a delight in showing her
the guns and how to load them and laugh
ing over her stupidity. Thus she secures
plans of all the outlying batteries, she even
steals admiralty survey maps of the chan
Now comes a curious thing. Since writ
ing the book / have discovered that, not
only is my theory possible. but that 1t ac-
tually occurred. Ten years ago an English
woman did try to steal the maps, and she
was assisted by a captain of artillery, and
1 received a short time ago a letter from a
well-known public man here in England, in
which he told me that he possessed the pri-
vate correspondence of lady relative of his
own who was in exactly similar position
to my heroine. Now, had no idea of any
thing of the kind as being real when l wrote
my story. I merely wished to write the
story of a spy, and to construct 1t with as
great a regard for probability as possible.
1t is, however, very curious that l should
have actually put my finger on the one
weak spot in the defense of Kronstadt, as
far as regards the great spy question.
II have been asked how l managed my
story, since hadn't the plans of KrOnstadt
myself l answer, had! believe / am
the one man in England who has held in his
hands the complete plans of Kronstadt up
to last August. 1t is matter of confidence
from whom obtained them. though L may
say it was a German officer who gave them
to me. If you want them, said my friend,
for the purpose Of a novel, and nothing but
a novel, I'll get them for YOU and he was
as good as his word. A wonderful instance
of the way in which Germany gets knowl-
edge Of everything. Then comes the ques-
tion-and l have consulted several high
military officials upon it-how l should
stand in case of war with Russia, holding
these plans and maps In my possession. A
very eminent soldier" Continued Mr.. PEN, Penn
guished military authorities, gave me
very simple piece Of advice. Return Them.
said he, which I have accordingly. done.
and you would scarcely believe the number
Of attempts that have been made to get
perhaps it is best.
II can now realize that Kronstadt is abb
solutely impregnable No naval force would
ever attempt It. If we tried to shell Pet
ersburg we should have to pass through q
narrow channel 200 yards wide, under the
cross fire Of literally hundreds of guns;
why, Fort Alexander alone has 116 eight
inch and ten-tnch guns in classmates, and
of course, the whole place is mined. Peters,
splendid isolation. For some reason or 9TH
er the story has been BACKED out by Rus
STA Why, / know not, for / shall never
publish all know, and my story represents
the Russian officers as intensely keen for
the honor of their beloved fortress"
do you think it possible. Mr.. Pembertons
for the literary man to give practical hints
to experts? ] mean, could not the inven-
tions of the novelist dreamers be materials
lied by the military and naval experts?
why not?" replied Mr.. Pemberton.
'Look at Welss famous heat-rays. / have
actually heard hints of something of ths
kind in America. Jules Verne's dreams
have more than once come true. In my own
case in the story of 1.-THE Iron Pirate" I
wanted to build a ship-on paper, of course
which should be able to steam for month
my despair went TO celebrated naval en-
gineer placed my difficulties before him,
and asked him if ship couldn't be driven
by gas He was delighted with the idea,
and sat down and worked out my theory so
absolutely correctly. from an engineers
point of view, that no one could find fault
with it. Since my book appeared expert
Lord Kelvin and Professor Kennedy have
expressed their belief that gas will be the
maritime motor of the future. wouldn't
that solve the Spanish dilemma?'