The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-05-04
ONE JAPANESE TRAITOR.
Episode Of the War in the East
Betrayal of Secrets to Russia.

This ls tue story OF Japanese
traitor-a Japanese Benedict Arnold.
Since the beginning Of the war it
has been evident that the Russians
have been supplied with an intimate
knowledge of prospective Japanese
movements. The original plans of
campaign were evolved in Toxic and
surrounded with great secrecy
apart from the elder statesmen and
about eighteen high staff officers no
one in the Empire was aware of the
objective points of landing troops from
which the first strike was to be
made.
Soldiers wero moving by thousands
-entrained from all cities, embarked
from all ports, but no one knew more
than the fact that Japan was carrying
war to the mainland Precautions to
conceal army movements have been
the most thorough in history, to the
dismay Of foreign and native CORE
spondents.
But the Japanese officials found that
their secrets we're leaking.
The first and second army corps
were to be Landed high in Oorea and
thrown forward towards Mukden, Liao
Yam Chon, and other various points.
AS fast as troops landed, the Russians
formed in front. ALI kinds of imped-
iments lay in the path of invasion.
The army Office here was baffled. The
first thought was that Russia's oppo-
sition and anticipation of the move
ment of Imperial troops was superior
craft-a mastery campaign of defence.
But the idea Of treachery soon replaced
this first thought, and the Govern
ment set out to be sure before going
further. Nine spies-Japanese Off
GERS disguised as Chinese coolies
were sent out from here. A number
were ordered to work along the Trans
Siberian Railway; the others we're
scattered along the Yalu frontier.
Every one Of the nine was captured
speedily, unerringly, and put to death
by the Russians. Without aid from
Japan-description, etc-this could not
have possibly happened.
Then it was that the staff officers,
and even the elder statesmen, we're
placed under the character-racking
espionage of the japanese spy system.
and the land invasion had to wait.
The old and later records Of each indi-
vidual in the secrets were overhauled
and scrutinized. No one was ex-
empted whose knowledge might have
been sold to the enemy. Every man
was followed, dogged, watched. These
methods finally seized upon certain
peculiarities in the life and day 8 work
of Lieut.. Col. Hanzoku Of the general
staff.
Hanzoku had been buying presents
like race track winner. The women
of his acquaintance received valuable
jewels. The Yoshuwara knew Hanzo-
ku, and the bank Of the city showed
deposits in his name. All of which
was not in the reach Of lieutenant
colonel's salary. Hanzoku was a
hard drinker, gambler by European
instincts, a frequenter Of uncertain
clubs, and an idol of the geisha girls.
| He bore the distinction of introducing
poker into Japan. He was, however,
graduate OF German university,
military tactician of worth, and had
been decorated for intrepid service
during the Chino-Japanese war. On
account of the latter service he held
good position on the general staff.
It has been asserted that before the
withdrawal of the Russian embassy
one of the attaches arranged with
Hanzoku to furnish st. Petersburg
with detailed plans of Japan's pur
poses. The Russian attache and Han
ziku bad been very friendly, having
been students together in Germany.
It is asserted that Hanzoku was, a
year ago, in very bad state financial
ly, and that he lost during game
his last piece of property.
The details of actual evidence
against Hanzoku cannot be had. No
word of the affair has even reached
| the columns of the japanese press,
but within the last few days the
lieutenant colonel was arrested, tried
by Court-martial, and shot by de-
tachment of rihemen chosen from the
Imperial Guards. Between the end of
the trial and the sound of the shots
there were only few hours. Han
zoku was watched over by heavy
guard, and was not allowed the honor
| >e L.; n; bo uoc