The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1905-11-17
a N EPISODE OF
"A THE LATE WAR
tOri.iu1l.l I


the Japanese army In Manchuria just
before the battle of Muk,len. i was re
ceived by r member of the staff, who
examined the passport, comparing Ire
with 10 very carefully. Notwithstand-
lug that the Japanese are "A sccrctive
people. noticed that the officer had
something OH his mind. and that some
thing p"rtained to me. However. when
hc had done with the passport nc hand
I'd Ii back to me. apparently satisfied.
and asked me what he could do for me.
l replied that ! had come all ,he way
from America To see some of the war
from the JapuucSc side. He promised
tn report my arrival to Marshal Oyn-
ma. lie did SO. and when he returned
bore an Invitation from the marshal
for mo to ride with him OH Il tour Of
the outpoSts
During tie ride was under the es-
pccial care of the man who had re-
crived me, Major Seshiulo. who point
cd out the differcn, objects Of interest.
| was introduced TO the marshal. who
expressed himself sensible Of the SYM
pathy the Japanese cause had received
in America. When we returned to
headquarters ! was about to take my
leave when Major Seshimo told me
that II cent had been provided for me
with Tn" staff. | much preferred to re-
main Independent and declined, but
the major Informed mo that II refusal
Of an honor that WAS intended for me
~ an american and not as an in1ivid-
uMl would I've displea sing To the mar
shall. and I ut once accepted the hOSpi
tality.
The next morning Major Seshmo
asked ne To come To his tent for
smoke. and while | was there Il Rus
sian prisoner was brought up. The
major asked me IL l spoke any Rus
sim. md I replied that | did not. lie
then began to question the man him
self In that language and seemed to
get on fnirl,. well. listened to what
did not understand Suddenly the ma
ior turned tn mo and asked:
What do you think of that
'Nou forget. major. that ! do not
speak Ru>,:ian." l replied
True" he said, IL forgot.
Somehow got the idea that he was
knowledge of the Russian language.
The nest morning I told Major Seshi-
mo that had seen all I desired To see
IF an army at the front and was about
to TAX" my leave. thanking him OF the
marshal through him for his hospi-
ality. He said that | must by all
means wait over another day--that Il
party among whom We're several ladies'
We're cNp"ctrd To visit Headquarters
and the marshal wished me to meet
them. since he would take no refusal
] consented.
1h" party were English with the ex-
"cption Of one very pretty woman, n
Bulgarian. We all dincd with the mar
sh&l. Tho bulgarian lady lcing assigned
TO me- rs Il lnnc: companion. Dur
ing the meal she whispered to me: II
know who YOU are. You are thus far
safe. When you leave take with YOU
the paper I have slipped into your
packet. 1t contains information for
which | am to receive Il hundred thou
sand ruhles. will give You fwothirls
rf il. If got away will meet You mt
Niadivost"k. Rni I am suspected and
have little hope. If am lost all win
belong to you."
What could I do: Rrtray Il woman 10
death who had placed her life in my
hands: ! sat, cold chills alternating
with fever till the dinner had ended.
The next day the party were takc,
about 10 see what was Interesting 1,
them. and saw clearly that | was cx
pectcd 80 accompany them | did so
but before leaving destroyed Che paper
the woman lmd slipped into my pocket
Sh" did NOT attempt to communicate
with IN" during the ride except as any
one else would do so. When we re-
turned t" headquarters | noticed that
something had happened during our ab
SeD"c. BY the interest which seemed
70 attach to me could not but suspect
That this something pertnincd to me
y certain "onStraint that ! had noticed
IN every one ! met seemed TO have dis
appeared. Indeed, all seemed dpSirous
10 atone for something. ! announces,
my intention TO leave during the day
hut all joined in n sincere request thai
would remain for one more dinner.
consented. ana we made n gay party
that night Mt table.
was placed beside The Bulgarian
woman again and dreaded q rcpetitio,
Of the events Of The previous night
While The dinner was i'm progress the
marshal addressed me:
What did YOU do with the Informa
lion for General Kuropatkin:"
looked Mt the woman who had
given il 20 me, then ut the marshal
My heart was beating the long roll
Burned It," replied
Wisely done. I owe you an explana.
ti"n and an apology. The day Of your
arrival among us we got wind Of q
Russian SnH answering YOUR dnacrir