The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1904-10-28

IoI Paeshawur OF Russian
Il2u psllI spy named Pashino. He
had been a diplomatist, but
fell into disgrace and had 10 leave the
service.
He was suspected OF having secretly
ascertained the condition OF military
and tribunal affairs along the Afghan
frontier, and lie was going on through
the Khyber Pass 10 Cabul 10 make
propositions 10 the Ameer Of Afghanis-
tan. Nothing definite could be proved
against him, and he was simply de
ported 10 Russia.
A Russian officer named Stolieton,
disguised as a Persian physician, ac-
tually did penetrate 10 Cabul some time
before and caused a whole lot Of trOu-
bic in the relations Of Afghanistan
and England. He returned safely and
rose TO the rank Of General In the
Russian Army, as did also Grodekof,
another famous Central Asian spy.
One OF the bravest and most success
full OF the secret agents in Turkestan
was FAIL Beg, RussianiZed Khiyan.
During the Turcoman campaign he
went backward and forward hundreds
OF times between the Russian lines
and the Turcoman encampments and
gained invaluable information.
Many thrilling stories Of his exploits
are told by Russian officers who took
part in that campaign. He was de-
tected once as he sat around a camp.
fro NTH CANA
They overpowered him and bound
him with ropes, intending TO torture
him at their leisure until be revealed
Russian secrets. He waited until the
campfire burned low, pretending to be
asleep.
The Turcomans curled up in their
blankets, one by one until only two
were on guard, some little distance on.
Then Fasil Beg rolled over TO the fire,
picked up a glowing stick with his
teeth and burned through the ropes
which bound his hands and feet.
Silently he stole toward the sentry
who was guarding the horses and cam.
els, gripped him 10y the throat from
the back, drew the mans own dagger
from his girdle and stabbed him 10 the
heart.
Then he cut loose the heel rope OF
the horse and fed across the desert.
The other sentry fred at him, but he
was only slightly wounded. The Turco-
mans gave chase. In vain.
The Russian secret agent sometimes
has a strikingly varied career. Cos
podin Lessar is a case in point.
He started as a railway surveyor
but showed such marked ability that
he was soon employed as secret
agent. His special line of work was
exploring untraveled parts Of Central
Asia. but the impclling motive OF all
his explorations was the making of
military surveys.
No risk appalled, him. He dwclt for
years among tribes bitterly hostile 10
the Russians and was never detected.
When the Russian advance to Herat
enraged England, and war seemed
probable, LeSsar went To London in
the capacity Of n famous explorer TO
write up the Russian side Of the case
WIN lllt Hlt ~ hdud llt .NbNlhtl, ne
gained admission TO the columns Of
the best English newspapers and threw
dust in the eyes Of the British public
most cleverly. He posed as a disin-
tercsted scientific man who happened
10 know that Russia had not really
made any material advances in Contra.
Asia.
His articles were accepted as gospel
and had n powerful effect in calming
the British mind. Not until long after
ward was il realized that he was an
agent OF the Russian Government.
This versatile man was subsequently
employed in the diplomatic service ana
be is now Minister to China-perhaps
the most difficult place q Russian diplo-
mat can fill.-New York Sun.