Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1905-11-08
4 N EPISODE OF
"A THE LATE WAR
lOriginal.l

My passport described me as bein
six feet high, light hair and blue eye
l obtained it for the purpose of vlsitin
the Japanese army in Manchurla jus
before the battle Of Mukden. was RI
ceived by member Of the staff, VIII
examined the passport, comparing N
with 1t very carefully. Notwithstand
ing that the Japanese are a secretly
people, noticed that the officer ha,
something on his mind, and that some
thing pertained to me. However whel
he had done with the passport he hand
ed 1t back to me, apparently satisfied
and asked me what he could do for me
I l replied that l had come all the way
from America to see some of the wal
from the Japanese side. He promised
20 report my arrival to Marshal Oya
ma. He did so, and when he returned
bore an invitation from the marshal
for me to ride with him on a tour OF
the outposts.
During the ride was under the es-
pecial care Of the man who had re-
ceived me, Major Seshimo, who point
| ed out the different 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 tent had been provided for me
with the staff. l much preferred to re-
main Independent and declined, but
the major informed me that a refusal
Of an honor that was intended for noe
as an American and not as an individ-
ual would be displeasing to the mar
shall. and 1 at once accepted the hospi-
tally.
The next morning Major Seshimo
asked me to come to his tent for q
smoke, and while was there a Rus
sian prisoner was brought up. The
major asked me IL spoke any Rus
sian, and l replied that 1 did not. He
then began to question the man him
self In that language and seemed to
get on fairly well. listened to what 1
did not understand. Suddenly the ma
Jor turned to me and asked:
"What do you think Of thatT"
"You forget, major, that 1 do not
speak Russian" l replied.
True" he said, II forgot"
Somehow got the idea that he was
trying to betray me into admitting a
Of the Russian language.
The next morning told Major Seshi-
mo that had seen all l desired to see
of an army at the front and was about
10 take my leave. thanking him or the
marshal through him for his hospl-
ality. He said that 1 must by all
means wait over another day-that
,arty among whom were several ladies
we're expected to visit headquarters
md the marshal wished me to meet
hem. Since he would take no refusal
consented.
The party were English with the ex-
option Of one very pretty woman, a
Bulgarian. We all dined with the mar
hal, the Bulgarian lady being assigned
D me as dinner companion. Dur
lg the meal she whispered to me: 81
now who you are. You are thus far
lfe. When you leave take with you
he paper ! have slipped into your
ocket. 1t contains information for
hlch / am to receive hundred thou
ind rubles. I will give you two-thirds I
1t. If l get away will meet you at !
ladivostOk. But am suspected and !
ave little hope. If l am lost all will r
slong to you" :
What could do? Betray woman to r
'ath who had placed. her life in my "
lnds? | sat, cold chills alternating n
lth fever till the dinner had ended. {,
The next day the party were taken
'out to see what was interesting to
EN-, and / saw clearly that / was ex- >,
cted to accompany them. did so. =
It before leaving destroyed the paper h
woman had slipped into my pocket. ~
e did not attempt to communicate 4,
tn me during the ride except as any 9,
e else would do so. When we re- =,
rned to headquarters | noticed that :.
netting had happened during our alb b,
nee. By the interest which seemed -
attach to NE could not but suspecl ~
1t this something pertained to me. -
certain conStraint that had noticed ~
every ole | met seemed to have dis. -,
Deared. Indeed, all seemed DESTROYS -
atone for something. | announced -,
intention to leave during the day. w
all Joined In sincere request that
yould remain for one more dinner.
lsented, and we made a gay party
t night at table. Of
was placed beside the Bulgarian fr,
man again and dreaded a repetition fol
the events of the previous night. tn,
Tile the dinner was In progress the Is
rshal addressed me: tuI
What did you do with the informa. ha
for General KuropatkinP III
looked at the woman who had to,
en- 1t to me, then at the marshal bel
heart was beating the long roll ryl
Burned It," replied. lar
Wisely done. owe you an explana- Ha
and an apology The day OF Your the
val among us we got wind of mol
'Sian spy answering your descrip- is
}. We did not like to offend an In be
ent person, especially an American, say
we have kept you under surveil- rus
'e. You must not blame the lady an(
} slipped the paper In your pocket, nut
she only did 1t at my request and set
dive you an opportunity to prove
you were what you pretended to
However, we now know that we =
; been mistaken In you, for today and
real spy was captured with incrim- hit
Ing documents on him. He Is ex- In
? your height, with your light hair Is
blue eyes" sorl
e next morning as l left the head sex
'fQFo L nQccad tho GNU o,ofpor 20 hta mel