The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-11-18
SECRETS OF THE NAVY.
Treatment Of Foreign Spies VINO Try 90
Obtain Plans OF war Vessels.

England has a rather curious way of
dealing with foreigners who are found
prying into her naval and military con-
Germs These inquisitive gentlemen are
not warned directly that their object in
the country is known, says the st. Louis
Post-Dispdtc h, but a hint is dropped to the
Powers employing them that the authori-
ties are well acquainted with the opera.
lions Of the spies, the result being that the
latter are usually quietly withdrawn.
At the same time, Of course. the spies
are afforded very little opportunity of
gaining really valuable information, al
though at a time when naval manosuvres
are being conducted on a large scale the
task Of guarding secrets from them is much
more difficult than on ordinary occasions.
When a new battleship is about to be
launched, however, no little anxiety is
felt by the Admiralty officials in their de-
sire TO prevent the betrayal Of the secrets
Of her armament. 1t is absolutely neces-
sary. il Great Britain is to hold her own
on the seas, that no opportunity should
be offered other Powers OF outclassing
her guns; and it was on this account that
so much sensation was caused at the recent
launching of the D~resdnought when it
NNnaA hhS"h bl0O IA Nv VI Ntic
new quick firing guns intended for this
and other men-of-war were in the pos
session. OF a certain European Power.
Theirs are two ways OF gaining such in
formation, namely. from the dockyard or
the Admiralty headquarters in Whitehall.
In the case Of tho Dreadnought IL was
clearly proved that the worknien we're
above suspicion and hat thoee on whom
~ sLAA --.gX-- II 80 49,.
had fallen had been promptly discharged.
Besides, the nature OF the work was such
that there was little any one man could
havc betrayed. As a matter of fact, the
leakage was traced to London. A dupli-
cate design OF the gun was missing for a
few hours and then suddenly found In the
strong box where it q originally been
placed. Apparently il had been stolen
for. a time, another copy had been mace
and the duplicate design returned to pre-
vent further inquiry and investigation.
The modern naval spy who seeks informa-
ton At headquarters Is usually a man who
moves In the best circles. Some striking
romances have been written around the
doings OF foreign spies who the entree
OF good society. But truth Is stranger than
fiction in this as In other casee, and during
the last half dozen years nearly d SCORE Of
men women who nave arrived In Eng
land With the highest credentials and letters
of introduction have been obliged to make
a BuOucO TtIuTn 70 Luc SOhtiionb UCC8uDc
the Admiralty had gained q knowledge Of
their real mission.
That country IL fully alive to the necessity
OF setting a spy to catch a spy and II 10
very rare indeed hat a foreigner who
apparently has no other object than TO
participate in society pleasures is allowed
to escape the observation OF secret service
detectives. no matter who or what he may
be. French authorities are just now &C their
wits end 10 prevent the betrayal OF naval
secrets, owing to III cunning manner in
which the spies work.
The latest sensation has been caused
by the news that many French officers
are slaves OF opium. and II has been showh
how epies take advantage Of the officers
drow4 and befdddled condition 10 gain
! from them valuable secrets, such a. plans
for defence or the construction OF sub
marines. II IL estimated that Toulon
contains some thirty opium dens used by
naval men. They are to all Appearances
private houses where the officers 20 as
II they were paying friendly visits. The
fact that they are really opium dens, how
ever. f~requented and in some cases managed
by spies was recently revealed by a navai
mechanic, who was offered a large sum
Of money by a woman who managed one
OF them 20 let her have plans OF certain
submarines.