The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-03-03
sEcRETs OF GREAT NATIONS.
Friendly. Powers Spy on Each
 Other.

Other.
 Spying goes on between nations, no matter how friendly their relations, says Pearson's Weekly. A Government has as much to fear from the inquisitiveness of an ally's secret agent as from it's bit- terest foe. For spying is one of the de- partmcnts of international business. and as such no sentimental considerations are allowed to interfere with it.
 P. W. was recently returning from New York, and among his fellow passengers was a young Japanese naval officer AS he was the representative of an allied Power, no information was withheld from him by his British fellow passengers.
 When we reached the Irish coast we even assisted him in making out his map of the coast line. He marked down this rock or bay, that fort or creek, and everything he could observe in detail.
 We thought him a keen young naval officer, gaining general information. Be- sides, might we not one day be fighting on behalf of his own country?
 We'll, it is probable that the map he 50 carefully made out Is now in the files of either the French or German govern ments. Not that the Japanese officer sold it to the Powers, or that it was stolen from him. He was probably strictly hon. orable, and gaining information only for hls own government. But that govern ment, however, friendly to ourselves. is as eager to get hold of secret regard ing Britain's defences as our bittereGt foe.
 For a secret is a negotiable article in diplomatic circles. Japans possessing British secret means that she has an article possessing distinct value-to somebody else. I nexchange for 1t she can secure something of vital importance kn r.yhi orably purchase.
 Japan might have obtained Russian se- crets from France in times of peace, if she paid the price. That price would be a really valuable secret about Great Bri- tain of use to France should she be at war with cs.
 Thus you would see the amazing sight of two Powers exchanging with each oth- CT secrets about their dearest friends for I~aff the world like two ladies at tea party.
 It is not treachery. but merely busi- ness. Spies of all nations encounter risks sometimes risks of deaHh-to secure secrets for wAicn their own governments do not care rap.
 For instance, an Austrian traveller sud- denly makes his appearance at an India frontier town. He is, or course, accord ing to his own account, collecting 'speci- menS' or natural history III those reBlOnSs and the general reader might quite cas- fly believe that.
 q. After all, what, we reason, does Aus trla. care about our Indian frontier? Un- der no circumstances could she make an attack there, as her frontiers are thou sands of miles away, and her relations with Britain quite friendly.
 We'll, the Austrian traveller is collect ing, not specimens" but details as to our Indian frontier, to be handed over to Russia, in exchange for something else What it is depends on Austria's S own requirements.
 Probably she is very anxious to know something about the Italian frontier, which Russia has been able to secure from-Spain. In exchange for her Indian information, therefore, Austria could ob- tain the needed secret.
 In the same way British officers have been interfered with by Germany for too close observation of the maneuvers of German troops. Why? Not because Ger many has the slightest fear of conflict with Britain on her frontiers, but be. cause she knows only too well that any secret obtained by us would become the property of France, should that Power have anything valuable to give us in ex- change about-well, our dear friend, the United States.