Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-07-25
Ex-Chief of Russian Political
Police ConfesSes.
WAS RECENTLY DENOUNCED
Gen. Harting, Official, Was Michael
Landesen, Terrorist!
BUT HAD CHANGE OF HEART
Now Says he Helped Plan Assas.
sination Of Emperor Alexander
III-Tells of Notorious Azef.

ST. PETERSBURG, July 24.-Gen
Harting. ex-chief of the Russian political
police abroad, who recently was de-
nounced by NJ. Bourtzeff as being inn
plicated in the plot to assassinate En-
peror Alexander III, has been in ST.
Petersburg for the past two weeks ar
ranging his affairs. He has been re
tired from the police service at his own
request on an annual pension OF s., 500.
In an interview today. which was Sc
cured with much difficulty, Gen. Hart
ing. who was known also as Michael
Landesen. made the important announce
ment that Azef leader of the fighting
noted police spy, whom the Russian police
profess to be seeking throughout the
world, is now in Russia, occupying an
ton or political police
He Is Living Incog.
Gen. Harting is residing in one of the
apartments maintained by the police.
where they can meet the revolutionary
agents. but the servants there denied all
knowledge of his presence. He was at
last encountered, however, in the imperial
summer garden, u fashionable promenade.
and consented to talk when convinced
tina. he was recognized. He readily ad-
mitted his identity with the terrorist
Landesen, saying that in early youth he
sincerely believed in the principles OF
terrorism, and participated. under the
name Landesen. in planning with others
the assassination of Alexander III in
1880. He denied. however. that he had
betrayed his comrades to the French po-
lice. as NJ. Bourtzeff has charged.
Then He Became Virtuous.
His ideas changed after lie secured en-
plosment as clerk in the embassy at
Paris. Later he was transferred to the
police service, but never was an agent
provocateur or traitor. citing as proof OF
his continued friendly relations with his
old revolutionary acauaintances. He
served the Russian government. he said,
honorably and faithfully. and his services
were recognized by commendation from
high quarters on his retirement.
Gen. Harting was very bitter against
Bourtzeff, who but for Harting, according
to the latter's assertion. would long ago
have perished in a French or Russian
prison. The French government repeated
ly had proposed to arrest or expel Bourt-
zeff Or such occasions Gen. Harting had
interpoSed and now France was IN pas
session of evidence That Bourtzeff was
hand in glove with the active terrorists
and had again decided TO expel him.
Azef Is a Daisy.
He talked about the famous government
agent Azef. who, from a central position
in the revolutionist councils. had for years
kept the government informed on ter
rorist plots against the emperor and high
officials. Gen. Harting. who had longer
and more intimate relations with Azef
than anybody else. declared that Azef had
never played a double game with the gov
ernment, nor sacrificed the life of single
official to further his own ends. He as
serted that Bourtzeff's charge that Azef
had participated in the assassination of
Won Plehve was absurd. AZef owed
everything to Won Plehve and sincerely
loved him.
Continuing, Harting declared that Azef
was clever. hardworking and honest, and
had repeatedly risked his life to serve the
government, and that he was still highly
appreciated at st. Petersburg and was
rendering valuable services at the present
time, although In what capacity he had
M rirybf tO foto