The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-10-15

and talked to me quite freely
sLet me begin he said, "by asking you for your
frank opinion on our secret SERVICE
"The secret service Of Great Britain is the most
scrupulousy conducted In the world, - replied dis
creetly
Lord Bedale gave queer smile.
That means, I suppose, that 1t is the most In
eficient?' he suggested.
''1t is the worst paid,' said by way Of extenua-
tion II have heard that the total voted for
this purpose by the British parliament is only 100000,
but that sounds incredible.'' '-..'a
~ am afraid it Is not far from the truth, ~ Lord
the British empire too strong to about what
its enemies planning.' ,~~- - -'
1T should think the Boer must have made
you realize that such policy not the cheapest
in the long run, - I veutured to remark -.
* It has shown So at all events, - he answered.
f'and possibly some Others You will not offend
in the least Monsieur w., If you tell plainly
that you consider intelligence department the
weakest branch Of foreign SERVICE and utterly
unworthy of an empire with such worldwide interests
I was obliged to admit that such was my opinion
His lordship proceeded.
FThis state of things constitutes national danger.
In a country like ours, run On democratic lines 1t
is almost hopeless to look to parliament qH for any
who has the interests Of his country at heart to sup
plement the work Of the public service by private
Intelligence department. conducted at his expense,
just in the case Of newspaper proprietor
happened to be that the marquis, in spite Of
his high rank, was not a very wealthy man. and 1t
of himself.
S7 , s s as ss &'s: T3' *so4 S:'
prudent to say. 'a~>,
1T shall be glad If you will consider me as the
person concerned" Lord Bedale said in tone which
ar me Is On &
from to act as secret service agent In the
interests Of Great Britain. .... .@.E.
hesitated. It is my fixed rule to deal only with
principals, and could not escape the conclusion that
Lord Bedale was merely the agent Of another.
"Wll you let ask your 1ordship question:"
said. EDO you offer this commission private
citizen solely, at liberty to infer from your
position in the royal household, that you have
conceane4ts from the exalted parsonage you serve
be serving his majestyq' ~
The marquis studied my face carefully before
answering.
cit seems to that such an Inference is right
and natural, and that you bound to Make
he said aid. slowly go, ,..,,,.- 49,,
I returned bowling. .-.Es.
The question Of terms was disposed Of to our
mutual satisfaction. I came away from the palace
filled with reverence for the monarch who, unless I
completely deceived had decided to contribute
out Of his private purse to the defense Of the great
empire whose politicians were 50 neglectful Of its
safety. .~-... T#
On my return to Paris set to work to organize
special department. for the purpose Of collecting
Intelligence likely to be Of Importance to the British
empire.
1 was amused to find that several Of the secret
agents in the service Of the British foreign office
were receiving much larger salaries from the RUSSIAN
government than from the they. supposed
Among other similar discoveries
agents reported to that certain British vice
consul in the Euphrates valley Greek by extrac
tion had secretly taken out letters Of naturalization
as a German subject. It this mans recon-
mendation chiefly that the British government had
give its countenance to the project
for erman railaWy to Bagdad.
duly forwarded this and other items to Lord
Bedale, but could not perceive that any notice was
taken Of them by the foreign office. Probably the
permanent staff resented the idea that they were,
being checked and Inspected and determined to show
that they not going to let even their monarch
interfere with them
But all this was merely preliminary. was on the
eve Of discovery Of SO much moment that have
often asked myself since whether, but for me- the
British empire would existence today.
Newspaper readers may recollect that not very
stated in the
private
press permsson--A ".