The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1907-04-08

1 Russ'a-Russia. the most despotic ans
1 tocraue government in au the worids
. Russia the home Of anarchy. the
] breeding ground of nihilism. Russia
where human life wasn't worth a
I cracker. Russia the home Of the
knoul and all the horrors Of dungeons
in dank and dark places; Russia with
ITS Siberia to the eastward where
thousands Of poor. doWntrodden hui
man beings were annually starved
and beaten to death because they
dared, If only in thought, to oppose the
shriyeled bit Of intellectually called
the czar. It was irony to address him
as the Little Father" Cheney knew
his work would not be Of easy accom-
plishment in Russia; he knew all
about the celebrated third section. /"
or secret police. They had their
agents every place in the world
even the United States held many Of
them. Every foreigner entering Rus
sia is under surveillance from the
time he enters until he leaves (and
numbers Of them do not leave)
Cheney knew this. He knew all his
cunning would be required to outwit
this dreaded third section, but he felt
equal to 1t. He knew if he was de-
tected seeking military information
his life would pay the forfeit Mails,
telegraphs, railroads, all means Of
transportation were under govern
mental control. Before leaving Ven
ice, Cheney destroyed every scrap Of
writing he had save his passport and
small letter Of credit. He would OBJ
serve and find out all he could in
Russia, but the making of notes and
transcribing his report would be done
In neutral territory later on He was
just a plain American citizen on a
trip. Journalism was a chance pro-
fession, to be used as a pleasure more
than livelihood. He was rich (that
was true), and fully conscious of his
danger, Col. Jack Cheney took the I'M
perial express, a de luxe train, and
shortly afterwards he was at the bor-
der. The train stopped, the cars were
opened and inspected by horde Of
customs officers. Across a fence was
Russia; now they were in Austria.
Presently distinguished looking in
dividual, respondent in a green and
gold uniform and hung with medals
and decorations announced:
Pardon, ladies and gentlemen; but
owing to some unavoidable circum-
stances which cannot be controlled,
we shall be compelled to detain you
short while. We regret it, but 1t is
unavoidable
Cheney looked the man over care
fully, and then carelessly lit cigar.
No one was allowed to leave the cars,
but gazing out the window he saw
several men in plain clothes looking
over passports, baggage and indiyid-
uals. 1t was evident some one was be-
ing looked for.
"'Third section, murmured
Cheney to himself as he smoked and
read. An inspector came in and said:
"Your passport, monsieur, please?'
Without raising his eyes from his
book he handed the inspector the lit
! tie leather case containing his pass
port. 1t was carefully read and hand
ed back with a polite THANK you
Cheney could feel he, too, was being
looked over, but never turned hair
Two hours were consumed--and as
Cheney afterwards learned, two men
had been turned back. A few mo
ments more and they were In Rus
sia. That night Cheney stopped In
Warsaw, but nothing untoward hap
pened there. Poor down-trodden Pc
land contained no military secrets Of
note.
Moscow was Cheney's next stop
and here the trouble began. He had
hardly been in the Anglo-Russ hote
ten minutes before there was a knock
on the door of his room.
Come in," he said.
In came M. Dobrowsky, as showr
by the card. Dobrowsky looked like
Partisan fashion plate.
"You are Mr.. Bradley?'
eYes, SIR replied Cheney. Won
you sit DOWN."
Thank you" said M. Dobrowsky
sitting on the edge of chair, holding
his silk hat over his knees. "Mr
Bradley" he continued, in perfec
English, Gen. Trepoff, whose office
represent, has asked me to interview
you"
eIs Gen. Trepoff an editor?" smil
ingly asked Cheney. He knew h
wasn't.
mo; ahl no, Mr. Bradley Ger
Trepoff is military governor here Il
Moscow" Cheney knew he was
project of police as well.
'sOh," said Cheney, with the sam
inscrutable smile on his face, 'an
what does Gen. Trepoff want of me?
Merely wants to know, Mr.. Brat
ley, what you are doing here. That
all"
"At present, Mr.-er-Monsieu
Dobrowsky. I am doing nothing at al
I only arrived yesterday"
"But how long are you going t
stay?"
ssThat's a question, sir. / don