The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-11-13
A LETTER TO CARRANZA
WHICH CAUSED WORRY To REVENUE
OFFICER FRANK CAIRNES.
The Incident Occurred While He Was
Spanish Spies During Late War.

Frank CairneS, who succeeded the late
Captain Carter as chief Of the federal secret
service bureau in this city, was before COM
ing here assigned to service In Montreal.
Canada, during the war with Spain, with In
structions to watch the movements or the
former Spanish minister. Polo Bernaoe'
and the spy Carranza, both Of whom were
active in that city in the interests Of Spain.
In discussing his work there Mr.. Cairnes
during a visit to this city said that one of
the narrowest escapes of his life he had
while on this service. and preventing the
affair from becoming the basis of an inter-
national complication was largely due TO
good luck and his own activity. He said
the thing was primarily the result OF a
blunder on his own part, due TO overwork
and extreme nervous tension. After the
flight of Polo and Carranza from Washing
ton they took up their residence at the
Queens Hotel al Montreal, and Mr.. Cairnes
was given the task of watching them night
and day to find out with whom they had
relations and If possible from whom they
received their supply c. information re-
garding things in the United States.
SPANIARDS WERE BUSY.
''I found the two Spaniards very busy
when 1 got there" said Mr.. Cairnes. and
il took but little time for me to IND out
that they had a splendid system of getting
news which the government had no idea was
known to any one outside the departm ents.
I then made II my business 10 get hoid OF
some of the extensive correspondence that
was passing between Carranza ana ms
friends in this country. Both Polo ana Car
rama were sailing under aliases, and the
latter was the one who did all the work.
probably under the direction OF the former
1 speedily found a way TO get glance at
their letters before they saw them and Tor
a time found nothing out of the ordinary.
One day. however found startling report
in one of their letters, and, although could
form no idea as to who was the author oil
it, l knew 1t must be some one in POSI-
ton TO know Of the truth of what he stated
1t was too important document TO admit
of being turned over to Carranza and
confiscated it boldly and inclosed 1t In
letter TO the secret service bureau at WASH
ington. These letters are never directed to
any Individual, but are simply addressed TO
=. o. Box l56 Washington, ID. G.. When
they arrive there the people in Washington
know where to send them.
During my long work in this country 1
had become accustomed TO using penalty
envelopes, which, when containing matter
for the government officials, 40 not require
postage stamps to be affixed 10 them. IN
my excitement over finding the big news IN
Carranza's mail 1 forgot temporarily That
was not in America, where the inprint IN
the corner OF the envelope, Official busi-
ness would be sufficient to carry IL
through, and, putting the letter In the en-
yeope sealed Fns Il ana q a peS and began
TO think of what the department would 90
when it received the letter. For three Gays
/ forgot about the matter until one night
like flash / broke out in a cold sweat as
1 remembered that L had, through follow
ing my old habit OF sending oInclal en-
velopes,' forgotten to put Canadian stamp
on it. realized at once that, not being aa-
dressed to a United States government om-
cial, the Canadian authorities would not
forward ii without the postage and IL Woulo
surely be opened and read. Vividly saw
that what would be esteemed as great
authorities would be grave offense against
the Canadian government, and. even though
might personally escape trouble IN can
ada, there might be grave nternatiohai
complications arise out OF II.
HE GREW EXCITED.
I'm a fever of excitement ! lay all night,
wondering If it were too late TO get the let
ter back into my possession. / worried
myself sick before morning came, and then
as soon as the postoff1ce department was
ready for business / presented myself and
asked where should look for such letter.
While 1 realized that there was chance
that 1t had already been opened and read,
1 knew that If it had been it was too late
to mend the matter, and was buoyed up
by the hope that confess was not strong
enough TO be a conviction.
Il was speedily directed into a room
where several girls were seated peiore
stacks of letters which had been held for
various reasons. With the cold chills run.
ming down my back l explained my ,errand
and described the letter. l had hardy got
the words out of my mouth when noticed
the last girl holding up a letter that looked
suspiciously like my own. and with Jump
l was beside her.
.'As 1 snatched it from her hands I almost
screamed, That's my letter. and then
realized that / was acting very strangely
me, however, nothing was done, and
breathed easier than had for many hours.
/ never neglected to put stamps on my let
tiers after that during all the time was
in Canada