The daily Alaskan., 1906-02-22
AN EPISODE OF "A THE LATE WAR
IOriginaLl

the Japanese army in ManChurta just before the battle of Mukden. I was re- ee3ved by a member of the stan, who examined the passport, comparing me Wwith 1t very carefully. Notwithstand- ng that the Japanese are a secretiye people, I noticed that the officer had something on his mind, and that some thing pertained to me. However, when he had done with the passport he hand ed it back to me. apparently satisfied, and asked me what he could do for me replied that had come all the way from America to see some of the war from the Japanese side. He promised to report my arrival to Marshal Oya- ma. He did so. and when he returned tore an invitation from the marshal for me to ride with him on a tour of the OutpOstS.
 During the ride I was under the es- peclaI care Of the man who had re- eeived me. Major Scshlmo, who point cd out the different objects of interest. 1 was introduced ts the marshal, who expressed himself SepEible 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 sthat a tent had been provided for me with the staf. I much preferred to re main independent and declined, but the major informed me that a refusal Of an honor that was intended for me Rs aD American and not as an individ- ual would be diSpleasing to the mar .sIhal, and at once accepted the hospI-
 nty.
 The next morning Major Seshlmo asked me to come to his tent for q smoke, and while ] was there q Rus alan prisoner was brought up. The major asked ne if I spoke any Rus sJan, aEd replied that I did not. Be then began to question the man him self lu that language and seemed to get on fairly well. listened to what l did not understand Suddenly the ma tnr turned tc me and asked:
 What do you think of thntT"
 You forget, major that I do not speak Russian" I replied.
 True" he said, "I forgot"
 Somehow I got the idea that he was trying to betroy ne into admitting knowledge of the Russian language.
 The next morning told Major Seshl- mo that I had seen all desired to sec of an army at the front and was about to take my leave, thanking him or the marshal through hlm for his hospi- tality. He said that I must by all means wait over another day-that q party among whom were several ladies were expected to visit headquarters and the marshal wished me to meet them. Since he would take no refusal I consented.
 The party were English with the ex- ceptIon of one very pretty woman, a Bulgarian. We all dined with the mar shal. the Bulgarian lady being assigned to me as a dinner companion. Dur Ing the meal she whispered to me: "I know who You are You are thus far safe. When you leave take with you the paper l have slipped into your pocket It contains information for which I am to receive a hundred thou sand rubles. will give you tyyo-thirds Of t. If get away I win meet you at Yladivostok. But l am suspected and have little hope. If l am lost all will selopg to you"
 What could I do? Betray a woman to death who had placed her life in my hands? I sat cold chiIls alternating with fever till the dinner had ended.
 The next day the party were taken about to see what was interesting to them, and I saw clearly that l was ex pected to accompany them. I did so, but before leaving destroyed the paper the woman had slipped Into my pockst She did not attempt to communicate H h me during the ride except as any sLe else would do so. When we re turned to headquarters noticed that something had happened during our ab- sence. By the interest which seemed to attach to me l could not but suspec; that this something pertained to me A certain constraInt that l had noticed ln every one met seemed to have dis appeared. Indeed, all seemed desirOus to atona for something. I announced my Intention to leave during the day, but all joined in a sincere request that l would remain for one more dinner. ] consautad, and we made a gay party that night at table.
 was placed beside the Bulgarian woman again and dreaded a repetition of the events of the previous night, While the dinner was In progress the marshal addressed me:
 What did you do with the lnforma- tror1Ho General Kuropatkin?"
 I looked at the woman who had Eiven 1t to me, then at the marshal My heart was beating the long roll.
 Burned it." replied.
 ''Wisely done. I owe you an explana- ton and an apology. The day of your arrival among us we got wind of Russian spy answering your descrip- ton. We dld not like to offend an in nocent person, especially an American, 90 we have kept you under surveil-
 ~ kN Haan