The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-06-12

Imanager to take him. lie was tried
lupon the stage, but was found singu-
Ilarly incompetent, However. some.
thing was found for him 10 do. and he
did not want much salary, so he was
allowed to remain with the company
while 1t went through the exar's en-
plre.
Practically nothing was known of
the young man, but he was educated.
a pleasant companion. and appeared TO
have plenty Of money, After the tour
ended the manager discovered ne was
the son Of the Japanese admiral whose
name frequently appears in the news
papers in connection with the wonder,
full naval feats he has accomplished
during the war. In the same COM
pany We're several very clever Japanese
women, who kept their eyes and ears
open during the tour. and there Is lit
tie doubt that their reports to their
government had something to do with
the rapidity with which the japanese
struck the first blow.
1t was diseoversS AT so long ago
as two years back SrossIbility OF an
attack upon Japaolc was considered
seriously by the FAssian government.
Japan had been repairing for a much
longer period, ana consequently was
able to strike first and strike hard.
The Japanese Lolice and military
system has, of course, its secret serv-
ice; but It Is not nearly so ubiquitous
as is the so-ealled Third Section OF
the Russian police. Yet during the
last few years little q, Importance has
in Europe affecting the situ-
alton In the far east OF which the Jap
anese foreign Office has been ignorant.
Her agents. the best of them. those |
so-called French actresses. found a
way of beind present wherever there
was anything to be learned. Often
these women encountered the women
spies of the Russian government, who
IRE undoubtedly among the cleverest
in their line in the world.
Governments at war, or on the brink
If hostilities. require the services OF
.wo distinct classes of spies. There
must be many men connected with this
dangerous service; but for the most
part the work demands courage and
kill rather than the delicate diplomacy
which Is required, too. but is general
y, certainly so far as Russia is con-
,erned, assigned to women Of culture,
,ducatlon beauty and rare judgment.
With the troops Of the enemy are sent
he men spies. and with the command
ng officers, with the diplomats. with
he brains which stay In st. Peters,
'urg and move armies 5000 miles away
IS If they were pawns on ehessboard,
he ingratiating clever women spies
Ire to be found.
While the Japanese have not been
egarded as having an especially effi-
.ient secret service, the events Of the
var have shown that the persons who
ire watching day and night for them
lave been Of the greatest value. It
$ known that just about the time the
var broke out there were in Port Ar
hur several French dancers, who had
aptured every Russian official heart.
They were not only attractive dane
rs, but beautiful women. who dressed
veil and had most engaging manners.
rhe Russian officers were charmed with
hem. They soon became better ac-
Iuainted and proved to be very agree
Lble companions. They took great
'ASSASSN AA NAtii6o ihhAeIAyt DAl |
made amazing blunders in attempting
o repeat what had been told them. The
ignorance OF such matters
harmed the young officers all the
more. and at the same time put them
If their guard. But, as matter of
act, they were very clever women, and
heir information was forwarded
peedily to the Japanese legation at
'ekin, which, in turn, forwarded valu-
lble reports to Toxic. BY the time
heir true character was known the
french actresses, who were spies for
he japanese had left Port Arthur far
'ehind.
One of the most valuable assistants
he Japanese had at Port Arthur was {
little servant who was not In the pay I