The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1904-02-15
INTERNAL SPYING
REGULAR BUSINESS

LONDON, Feb. l5.-Spying goes on be-
tween nations, no matter how friendly
their relations. A government has as
much to fear from the inquisitiveness Of
an ally's secret agent as from its bit
terest foe. For spying is one of the de-
partments of international business and
as such no sentimental considerations are
allowed to interfere with it.
An Englishman was recently returning
from New York, and among his fellow
passengers was young Japanese naval Of
ticer. AS he was the representative of an
allied power no information was withheld
from him by his British fellow passen-
gers.
When they reached the Irish coast they
even assisted him in making out his may
Of the coast line. He marked down this
rock or bay, that fort or creek and every
thing he could observe in detail
We thought him keen young naval Of
ficer, gaining general information. Be
sides, might we not one day be fighting
on behalf of his own country?
Well, it is probable that the map he so
carefully made out Is now in the files of
either the French or German governments.
Not that the japanese officer sold it to
those powers, or that it was stolen from
him. He was probably strictly honorable
and gaining only information for his own
government. But that government, how
ever friendly to ourselves, Is as eager to
get hold of secret regarding Britain's
defense as our bitterest foe.
! For a secret is negotiable article In din.
lomatic circles. Japan's possessing a Brit.
1Gh tho4
possessing distinct value-to somebody
else In exchange for it she can secure
something of vital Importance to herself.
which money could not honorably pur
chase
Japan might have obtained Russian Sc
crets from France in times of peace if she
paid the price. That price would be a
really valuable secret about Great Britain
OF use to France should she be at war with
us.
Thus you would see the amazing Sight
Of two powers exchanging with each other
secrets about their dearest friends. for all
the world like two ladies at tea party
1t is not treachery, but merely business
Spies OF all nations encounter risks-some-
times risks of death--to secure secrets for
which their own governments do not caro-
a ran.
For instance. an Austrian traveller sud
denly makes his appearance at an India
frontier town. He is, of course accord
ing to his own account, collecting "speci.
mems OF natural history in those regions,
and the general reader might quite easily
believe that.
After all, what, we reason. does Austria
| care about our Indian frontier? Under M
circumstances could she make an attach
there, as her frontiers are thousands Of
miles away, and her relations with Britain
quite friendly. '''D
Well, the Austrian traveller is collecting
not specimens, but details as to our In.
dian frontier, to be handed over TO Russia
IN exchange for something else. What Il
Is depends on Austria'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 in.
formation, therefore Austria could Obtain
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 Gar-
many has the slightest fear of conflict With
Britain on her frontiers. but because She
knows only too well that any secret oh.
tanned by us would become the property If
France, should that power have anytbine
valuable to give US in exchange about
wei, our dear friend, the United states
One would, too. think that a British
subject taking intelligent interest in move
,nehls on the Russian frontier would be al
lowed to do as he liked
W H>|>ver Russia may fear from us She
never breads British army invasion Rnt
she does very much fear German ono
and knows quite well that any secret, N
tanned by British spies are destined n
become German property some time.
20 that, IN international matters one
can no more trust ones best friend than -
the other affairs of life. The genial