The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-26
.HEROISM OF A GIRL HAS
EXCITED THE JAPANESE
Miss Ando Yoslin'S Theft of Rus
sian Maps and Papers Makes
Her a National Figure.
EFFECT on WAR PLANS


with the daring exploit of Miss Ando Yoshi.
which the authorities have but recently per-
mitted to be known. Her name is on every
bodys lips. She is being cheered by the
students and merchants in torchlight pro-
cessions and by the boys waging the war
game in the temple grounds almost as much
as Admirals Togo and Uriu. Moreover, she
has been highly commended by the Mikado,
and in all probability will receive decora-
ton from him.
Miss Ando Yoshi deserves her country
mems praise. At great risk she stole i'm
portant war maps and papers from the Rus
slams at Port Arthur and in disguise carried
them through the Russian lines to Picking.
where she delivered them TO the Japanese
minister
These maps, it is understood here, have
influenced the japanese general stan 10
considerable extent in its plan of war, since
they give detailed information concerning
the measures taken to protect Port Arthhr
and Dalny-harbor defenses. strength OF the
sarrisons. dimensions of the fortihcations,
etc. They also show the location OF tofts
throughout Manchuria and the disposition
of the Russian forces up to the lay the
maps were stolen
Then there are full details of defenses 10
be erected in case of Japanese invasion,
and instructions concerning the moblhzng
| o. the Troops IN SuCn an eNtHA- lhtdho VI
transportation, and the possibility of laying
railroads for the purpose are ininutely out
Tired and the names Of the regiments TO be
sent to the front at once and their destfia-
Miss Ando primarily owes her fortune TO
the circumstance that her family was 100
poor to support her. She objected TO be
coming a geisha girl, and nearing tnat
many of her compatriots were making a
gold living in Manchuria, she decided 10
go there.
years ago There she began selling rice
| cakes for living first to the japanese and
Chinese population, and later on 10 the
Russians.
Miss Ando, according to japanese stand
ards. is prepossessing young woman and
| it was not long before she attracted the at
tention of some of the Russian officers. Ac-
| cording TO a native account 1T was ner
| lacquer black hair and bright eyes which
worked havoc with the Russians. Nhat-
| ever the cause, Miss Ando found favor in
| the eyes of the officers and was permitted
| to sell rice cakes in the officers quarters.
When the news reached the japanese
| at Port Arthur that the relations WIN
Russia were strained, Miss Ando had
| long enioyed the freedom of the barracks
! and officers quarters. Indeed, she was
| not infrequently present at many OF the
| entertainments given by the officers
| Miss Ando, upon learning Of the inn
| pending war determined TO put her priv
| ileges TO some account for her country.
| So, at the first sign of trouble, she did
| of her countrymen. Instead, she sold rice
| cakes as before, but she also kept her
Her Chance came some days before Port
| Arthur was bombarded In going about
| the quarters at night she came upon a
| group of officers engaged in conference
! over a lot of maps and papers.
| Although she could not understand the
| Russian language well enough to ascertain
what the officers were talking about, she
intuitvey realized the importance of the
1 ma determined
| hazards and take them to Japan.
She noticed that the officers were drinking
| heavily, and, to encourage them in their
cups, as soon as the supply of vodka gave
out she replenished II, as had been her
| custom on various occasions The Russians
| according to Miss Ando, did not object 70
her presence, possibly because she was in
the habit of dropping in to sell her wares
| at all times.
At any rate, she was allowed to remain
| through the conference. When it broke
| up ali the officers were more or less under
| the influence of the vodka she had served
to them so literally and not one of them
papers and take them away TO safety.
Miss Ando was not slow to improve hei
opportunity. With the disappearance OF
| the last Russian she hastily seized the
| papers, slipped them under her kimono, fas
| tened them around her body and made hei
| way out of the quarters.
| Her thoughts now were OF immediate es
cape. She knew that she was well known
| i'm Port Arthur as Il pet of the officers anc
| that her presence at the railway station
might be commented on and lead TO her de
| lection.
When she had made her way to hel
| room in the foreign quarter OF the towf
| she disguised herself in the dress of
| cooIie and started for the railway sta
| ton Being unfamiliar with the way, sh'
| soon became confused. and spent precious
| minutes trying to locate herself. At last
| in her desperation, she hailed a cab tina
| happened by and was taken 10 the sta
| ton, representing to the driver that SIN
was refugee hurrying to get away be
! fore war began.
At the station she found a crowd o
| JAPANESE and Chinese refugees waiting 4
take train for Picking. and she joined them
She succeeded in escaping detection an'
| getting the train, which, by good luck
was not long in starting.
During the trip TO Picking she kept tn
papers tightly bound around her body
Once i'm the capital she made straight 70
the residence of Minister Uchda. and In
sisted seeing him personally
When she was taken before him she ex
planned that she had brought papers o
some sort from Port Arthur. briefly detail
later, when they were handed TO him. tn
minister saw at a glance the great impor
lance OF the girls prize.
In the words OF Miss Ando, ''the honora
BILE minister was much pleased with me ani
said the Iapers would be OF much service
He also said for me 10 go TO Japan befor
the Russians got after me- and he locke,
that / have been of some value TO the ma
ton"
Miss Ando is now in Toxic. where the pa
pers preceded her. and where her parent
live. She is lin great honor and receives
by everybody" TO quote a japanese &C