The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-09-27

A large and expensive secret ser- vice department is maintained by every civilized nation in the world. No gov ernmeuf can dispense with 1t In tnese days of anarchism, bombs and plots
 The most perfect organization or mat kind is. by necessity, probapiy that of the Russian government. whose secret police service covers not oh.y the vast realm of the, Czar like net work. but whose numerous agents can be found in every place of importance throughout the world says The Balti- , more American.
 An interesting experience with this invisible power" of the Russian gov enment by an American, who was well known in diplomatic as well as m nt- erary circles. the late Jeremiah Curtin. is worth mentioning as illustrative or the fact that even the walls of private residences in foreign countries have occa sIonally the invisible 'ears" of the Russian secret service.
 His words Were Heard.
 It was during the time that he was credited as special envoy of the Amer ican government to the Court of St. Petersburg that MT. Curtin went for visit to London. While there he re- ceived an invitation for a confidential visit to Chislehurst, then the residence of the dethroned Emperor Of the French. Napoleon III. The Emperor wished to learn from Mr. Curtin the sentiments of the Russian government in regard to a restoration or the French empire. but MT. Curtin. though well informed on that subject. pru- dently disclaimed all knowledge Of t.
 Soon after his return to St. Peters, burg Mir. Curtin had occasion to con- gratulate himself on his prudence Meeting Prince Gortschakoh then pre-
 Ad JF Curtin whom he had met while in Lon- don.
 T saw some American friends" re- piled MT. Curtin cautiously.
 T have been informed" said Gort- schakoff suddenly, that you paid a visit the the ex-Emperor of tme French"
 MT. Curtin was surprised as this. for his visit to Chislehurst was supposed to be a secret.
 "I know" continued Gortschakoff smiling. the whole of your converse tion with Napoleon, and was very much obligfied to you for not telling him my views on his restoration to the French throne"
 These views had been rather strongly expressed. Gortschakoff had said that he would never belp that ''French rascal" to regain the throne. At the interview at Chislehurst no one else but Napoleon and Mir. Curtin had been present, aand get every word that had been spoken was known to Gort- schakoff.
 All Foreigners Examined.
 No foreigner enters Russian terri tory without being noticed. scrutiniz- ed. and if need be, closely watched by agents of the secret survice. Qhus nurebers of German and Austrian army officers who entered Russia under clev- CT disguises-as peddlers. drummers. organ grinders. etc,--to gather certain information, study military roads and their condition. sketch Notifications, learn details for quartering troops, re- sources for provisioning, etc, have fre- ouently been detected before they could begin their work. The follow ing instances, which are not without hurnor. may serve as illustrations:
 Two captains of the German general staff entered Russia on false passports and under fictitious names, as photo- Eraphers. their real objects being to make a careful study and an exact map of the famous Pripet swamps. These swarnps. situated near the southwest ern frontier of European Russia, cov-