Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-26
BY INVISIBLE POWER
Strenuous Work Ahead for the
Secret Service.
BUSY AT INAUGURATION
Russian Government Has a Perfect
Organization.
AMERICAN HAS EXPERIENCE
No Foreigner Enters Territory of the
Gear Without Being Watched.
Instances Cited.
AMERICAN HAS EXPERIENCE


Perhaps the most strenuous work dur
ing the approaching inauguration will
fall to the lot Of that much discussed
the "secret service The force of the
police department to extend protection
and safety of those whose lives are Of
particular value to their country at such
q time as the Inauguration is greatly
added to by this Invisible power
The most perfect organization of that
kind is probably that Of the Russian
government, whose secret police service
car like a network. but whose numerous
agents can be found In every place OF i'm
portance throughout tho world
An interesting experience with this
'invisible power" Of the Russian govern
ment by an American, who is well known
in diplomatic as we'll as in literary circles
jeremiah Curtin-is illustrative of the
fact that even the walls of private resi-
dences in foreign countries have oc-
casionally the invisible ears of the Rus
sian secret service.
Makes Confidential Visit.
1t was during the time that he was
accredited as special envoy Of the Ameri-
can government at the court of st.
Petersburg that Mr.. Curtin went for
visit to London. While there he received
an invitation for confidential visit to
Chislehurst then the residence OF the
dethroned emperor of the French, Ma
poleon.
The emperor wished to learn from Mr..
Curtin the sentiments OF the Russian
government in regard to a restoration of
the French empire but Mr.. Curtin. though
well versed on that subject, disciaimed all
knowledge Of it.
Soon after his return to St. Petersburg.
Mr. Curtin had occasion to congratulate
himself on his prudence. Meeting the then
premier OF Russia Prince Qortschakon
the prince asked him whom he had met
while in London.
II saw some American friends Mr.
Curtin replied cautiously.
II have been informed" Gortschakof
said suddenly, that you paid a visit to
the ex-emperor OF the French"
Knew Details Of Conversation.
Mr. Curtin was surprised At this. for
his visit to Chislehurst was supposed to
be secret.
ct know" Gortschakoff continued. smil
ingly, '.the whole Of your conversation
with Napoleon, and I am very much
obliged to you for not telling him my
views on his restoration to the French
throne"
These views" of Prince Gortschakor
had been strongly expressed. He had
said that he would never help that
French rascal to regain the throne.
At the interview at Chislehnrst no one
but Napoleon and Mr.. Curtin had been
present. and yet every word that had
been spoken was known to Gortschakon.
No foreigner enters Russian territory
without being noticed, scruttntzed and. II
need be. closely watched by agents OF the
secret service.
Prolific Of Good Results.
This system is also prolific of good re-
| suits In a military sense. since 1t Is a
custom among the great powers OF Eu-
| rope to send occasionally officers of the
general staff Of their armies. under curl
Gus disguises-as peddlers, drummers, etc,
| into other countries to gather such in
formation as might prove helpful in the
| event of war, relating to Notifications,
| condition Of roads details for Quartering
| troops, resources for provisioning, etc.
Thus, for instance, it Is no secret today
that at the outbreak OF the Francc-Prus
| sian war in 1870 the Prussian general
| staff knew decidedly more about the ar
maments and strength of the French
| Rhine fortresses than did the French war
| department itself.
The following instances were realted by
| a colonel of the German general staff. be-
| ing of recent occurrence. The cases are
regarded as remarkable, because of the
forbearance shown w the Russian gov
| eminent.
| Pose as Photographers.
| Two captains of the German general
| staff entered Russia on false passports
and under fictitious names as 'photogra.
phers.' their real object being to make q
careful study and an exact map OF the
famous Pripet swamps These swamps
situated near the southwestern frontier Of
European Russia. cover an area of severa
i hundred miles in length and width, and
are impossible save by a few roads which
the Russian government has built through
them.
The two German officers went first tt
Warsaw, whence they expected to star,
I for the field Of their labor. Early in the
morning which followed their arrival II
; Warsaw they were aroused from theil
slumber by loud knock on the door o.
their room. and ip the next moment thu
two photographers stared with mixet
, sensations at the Stalwart form Of Rus
sian non-commissioned officer who, saIut
, ing, handed them q sealed envelope bearing
the official Russian seal. The envelope
contained an tnVttattOn-bOth OfhcerS be
; ing addressed by their true names and q!
; captains OF the German general staff-tt
dine with the military governor OF War
saw 1t Is needless to add that the twt
) detected officers understood the gentl,
; hint and left Russia with all possible
speed.
, Another Unsuccessful Mission.
: Just as unsuccessful in his mission wa
a colonel OF the Austrian army, who went
by order Of his government. to st. Peters
burg. to obtain certain information. II,
. Travelled on false passport as a private
gentleman. Arriving safely at the Rus
sian capital, he repaired to hotel ant
was about to unpack his trunk when (
gentleman entered his room.
II can save you the troubcl of unpack
. ing your trunk, SIR" said the strange
with a smile. "You are Col. Blank O
the Austrian army, and the real purpose
of your advent ia known to u.s."
The man legitimatized himself as 81
! agent Of the Russian secret police ant
! told the amazed o{ficer that the Russial
! government would grant him twenty
) four hours to stay in st. Petersburg II h
) wished to see the city In company o
) the agent, and that the latter was ais,
: to see the colonel safely across the from
? tier again.
7 Discovered by Accident.
81 Seeing that any further pretense had be
; come useless. the colonel submitted ant
loft az pefarehurO tho Sanoa dav Nh