The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-07-04
FEATS or WOMEN SPIES.
How Secrets OF Nihilists We're Made Known
to Russian secret Police.
From Tit-BIs.

from Itt-bNS.
Russian history during the last twentY
or thirty years would not have been what
it has been II there had been no Vera sassu
Itch, Of whom nothing Is heard in these
days When the famous Gen Trepon was
only at the beginning Of his career she was
his invaluable assistant
Trepon was the detcsted enemy OF the
Nihilists. and he was very anxious to obtain
inside information as to their doings and
their plans Suddenly. one day In 1875.
he was fired at while driving through tho
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 Trepon. being tried in
the ordinary manner. but to the amAxement
of the public she was acquitted.
On her release the Nihilists gathered about
her desiring to admit such Q 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 1t was simply 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.
spy one Emma Bellomo. who became the
Countess della Tore. She was woman
OF great mental ability and boundless am
biton and when her husband died she Of
fered her services AZ special secret agent
to the Car and soon became indispensable
To the Russian court. Whenever docu-
ment had TO be secured she secured II, and
she allowed nothing. not even life, to stand
in her way. By one remarkable and dramatic
~l,x IN, hnr aha oh nj
unbounded confidence Of the Gar. lntor-
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 instrimcntalitv
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 ingratiatcd 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 hAh
discovered, but he refused to believe her,
as the man named was one Of his closest
attendants and most intimate friends linen
exclaimed the Countess. Il must prove u
your Majesty that what toll YOU Is true.
In half an hour i must crave permission l"
see You again.
out the officer in question and handed over
to him packag e of papers. imprcsslne lp'h
him that on no account must he allow 'henl
to leave his person Keep them WIN YOU
she said "On your noble person they are
safe. in my hiding place they may h" found
Her fascinations we're too much for the OIL
f,cer and he agreed. She then returned '"
the Car and at once said to him: neg
that your Majesty will now at once sn,h,no"
this gentleman to your presence, and 'ha'
YOU observe closely the Counts depor'm",
and features when he sees me az your sih",
A few minutes later the officer entered inc
apartment. and when he saw the Countess
with tho Car he realized the state nj aHd'S
and turned pale with terror
1T is as I Informed your Maies'r, SAID
the Countess, III you will search him vow
will find tho proof" 1t was found in ono "l
his riding boots. The Gar ordered 'hat
he should he exiled to Siberia for LIE, MT
there was general impression that he YES
murdered in his cell.