The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-07-04
FE.ATS OF WOMEN SPIES.
How Secrets Of Nihilists We're Made known
to Russian Secret Police.

Russian history during the last twent-
or thirty years would not have been what
it has been il there had been no Vera Sassu-
Itch, of whom nothing Ia heard in these
days When the famous Gen. Trepof was
only at the beginning of his career she was
his invaluable assistant,
Trepof was the detested enemy Of the
Nihilists, and he was very anxious to obtain
inside information az to their doings and
their plans. Suddenly, one day in 1878.
he was fired at while driving through the
streets of ST. Petersburg by no other than
Vera Sassulitch She was at once seized by
the soldiery and was charged with the at
tempted murder of Trepof. being tried In
the ordinary manner. but to the amszement
Of the public she was acquitted.
On her release the Nihilists gathered about
her, desiring to admit such a friend Of the
people to their closest acquaintance. In this
way she was admitted to all their private
circles and was made acquainted with their
secrets. These she at once communicated
to the Russian Government The truth was
that the whole business. including the at
tempt on his life, was faxed by TrepoH him.
self, and it was simply a clever ruse to get
from the Nhilists what could not be got in
any other way. Thereafter Vera sassulitch
played the part OF Government spy on in
Vulnerable occasions.
There succeeded her as the Cars CHIEF
spy one Emma Bellomo. who became the
Countess della Tore. She was woman
of great mental ability and boundless am
bition. and when her husband died she Of
fered her services as special secret agent
to the Car and soon became indispensable
to the Russian court. Whenever docu-
ment had to be secured she secured It, and
she allowed nothing, not even life. to stand
in her way. BY one remarkable and dramatic
coup early in her career she obtained the
unbounded confidence OF the Gar. lnfor-
nation had been received by the Russian
secret police that plot against the monarch
was being Matched conformity in Rome and
Paris. 1t was suspected that the plot was
to be carried out through the instrumentalty
of high official Of the Cars household, but
all efforts to identify him failed.
Thereupon this woman spy was put On
the scent, and she at once went to Rome
where she ingratiated herself with the Nj
hilists, and at last found out the name she
wanted. She returned in haste to ST. Peters.
burg and informed the Car Of what she ha1
discovered, but he refused to believe her,
as the man named was one Of his closest
attendants and most intimate friends. Then,
exclaimed the Countess. Il must prove 10
your Majesty that what ! tell YOU is true
In half an hour l must crave permission 70
see you again.
When she left the Car she at once sought
out the Officer in question and handed over
to him package Of papers, impressne upon
him that on no account must he allow them
to leave his person, Keep them with yo'l
she said ION your noble person they are
safe: in my hiding place they may he fonnn
Her fascinatons were too much for the o.
flcer and he agreed. She then returned %
the Car and az once said TO him | beg
that your Majesty will now at once summon
this gentleman to your presence. and tha'
YOU observe closely the Counts d"por'mHNt
and features when he sees me at your SIDE
A few minutes later the officer entered the
apartment. and when he saw the Countess
with the Car he realized the state nj ahdf'
and turned pale with terror
at is as | informed your Majesty, sad
the Countess. If yon will scar h him yo'i
will find the proof" 1t was found IN ono NJ
his riding boots. The Car ordered fha'
he should be exiled to Siberia for life, hn'
there was general impression that he "es
murdered in his cell.