New-York tribune., 1905-08-28
CONFESSIONS OF A SPY.
Revelations of German Military Es-
piondge an France.
Paris. August 20.

curious light has been thrown upon the com
plicated ramihcations in France Of the German
military spy system by the arrest in Brussels on
s minor charge Of blackmaing OF the French
soldier Pelissier Several weeks ago Pelisser
who enjoyed 10 a remarkable degree the con-
hdence OF his officers. disappeared from Avi-
gnon where he was serving as a private in the
First Company OF the 5Sth Infantry Regiment
and shortly afterward a number Of important
documents were missing from the bureau OF the
chief OF the regmental staff. including the plans
for the mobilization Of the French army on the
Alpine frontier. That these documents were OF
real importance is shown by the fact that con-
siderable alterations havo since had TO be made
IN the organization Of the Alpine defences. while
the price that the German agent paid for them
exceeded S6.000. There IS a chance that Pelis-
sier may escape the penalty OF his misdeeds for
the extradition treaty between France and Bel
Eium does not cover espionage or treason to
cnes country, but the traitor has made full
confession 10 a French journalist, and seeks. II
rot to glory in his crime. at least to palliate it.
Pelissier. who is the son Of respectable parents
snd native Of the South Of France. had a bad
military record, and for a previous act Of deser-
ton had served for a number Of years in the
dreaded conpagnie de discipline at Biribi
black sheep corps. composed exclusively Of con-
victs and deserters. who in the torrid climate Of
Algeria, lead the life OF slaves, being employed
On the most unhealthful and burdensome tasks
and punished with cruelest severity at the
slightest sign Of revolt. This experience may
have completed the Generalization OF PeIisser
whose behavior however. was so good as quick
y 10 obtain for him a promotion to the rank Of
first class soldier in ordinary marching regi-
ment Frank in appearance, smart at his duties
and exceptionally well spoken. Pelissier became
such e favorite with his superiors that though
IN view Of his shady past he could not get q
stripe he acquired the nickname Of the little
captain" and was not only constantly in re-
receipt Of special favors for himself but able TO
obtain them for his comrades.
At this juncture he made the acquaintance. in
q cafe at Avignon, Of a well dressed and we'll
hammered individual named Muller, who ap-
peared 10 take q great fancy TO him, treated him
10 quantities Of drink, encouraged him 10 talk
and finally. on the strength OF being the CORE
spondent OF an illustrated paper engaged him
as q copyist-a task for which his military du-
ties left him sufficient leisure Muller was in
reality the head OF German military spy agen-
cy, with his headquarters in the Rue Banning
in Brussels, but the young soldier did not know
this az first and merely marvelled at the hand
some payment which he received for copying out
articles Of no apparent significance. Soon this
rev source Of income tempted him to indulge in
expensive amusements. which Muller eucour-
Hged adroitly, and he fell deeply in debt. Muller
who knew that Pelissier had been in trouble
betore' now tempted him with larger sums and
told him plainly that he was seeking for infor-
NATION on technical military topics
The web which he spun about the French sold
ieT-s conscience tightened its tolls almost i'm
perceptibly An attractive young woman ap-
peared upon the scene. introduced by Muller
and Pelissier quickly fell a victim 10 her charms
g r-Trae enz~ ~7,-.s, ,-I,-
the German Intelligence Department Her ex-
travagant tastes, which he endeavored to sat
isfy plunged him deeper and deeper into debt.
he went 10 Muller and begged for an immediate
loan OF 500 Muller promptly threw off the
mask. y can give You nothing more" he said.
unless you consent 10 procure for me copies Of
documents. marked CONFIDENTIAL which are
locked UP IN the Office OF your regimental staff"
But then you are a spy" exclaimed PeIissier,
n horror You have been a long time finding
OUT that" was the cynical reply. And, suppose
denounce you" said the soldier. I should be
fsr away by then" returned Muller. "and in
the mean while should let your colonel know
of the documents you have already furnished,
and that rneans-back to Biribi."
Pelisser. according 10 his own account. thus
found himself unable 10 recede. At the bidding
o. his pitiless taskmaster he took impressions
~ the locks IN the bureau OF the regimental staff
and stole document after document, replacing
them after they had been copied by Muller. He
rarely had time 10 ascertain their contents.
only once was ne able 10 make a selection. and
this was when he secured. with the assistance Of
another soldier. named Bez. whom he had cor
rupted and who has since confessed and been
condemned the plan Of the French Alpine de-
fences and details OF French espionage in italy
He then deserted and fed 10 Geneva suhse-
oueutIy meeting Muller a Milan where $1,000
was paid 10 him TO complete the price Of his
treason. Muller now urged Pelissier TO join him
rs professional spy and introduced him to an
officer Of the German General Staff at Cologne,
painting his future in glowing colors.
Pelssier would have been. on his own show
ing well fitted for this role having been a
clown and an actor at village fairs and being
an adept il the art OF Disgusting himself But
he professed repugnance and declared his IN
tention of enlisting under a false name IN the
Legion Etrangere and seeking 10 redeem
his crime by some act Of heroism Instead OF
this however he became involved in charge
Of irving 10 blacllrnai q we'll known actress IN
Brussels and was arrested the day after he
had COMPLETED q confession Of his treason 10 a
French journalist According TO the latter, VINO
has had special opportunities Of observing him.
PeIisser's most notable characteristic is his
complete lack Of all moral sense. He tried 70
Justify his action on the ground that the era
of universal peace was at hand. and that there
fore what he had done might well prove To
have no Importance. And IN the belief that ne
was thus .counterbalancing his treason he fur-
nished a number of details 10 the working
of The Brussels SPY bureau. which are striking