New-York tribune., 1909-07-25
CONFESSIONS Of A SPY
GENERAL HARTING T4LkS,
Aaff, He Says, Is NozC Holding a
High Post IN Russia.

St Petersburg July 24.--GeneraI Harting for
mer chief OF the Russian political police abroad
who recently was denounced by NJ. Bourtzer
with being implicated in the plot 70 assassinate
Emperor Alexander III. has been in St Peters
burg for the last two weeks He has been re-
tired from the police service at ms own redue>-
on an annual pension of $500
General Harting who was known also as
Michael Iandesen made the important N
nouncement that Azef, a leader OF the nsh'Ifs
organization of the revolutionists ana "a ho's1
police spy whom the. Russian police proress 10
he seeking throughout the world. is now in Rus
sic. occupying an important post in the so
called third section. or political police.
General Hartins is residing in one Of the
spartments maintained by the police where
they can meet the revolutionary agents. but th9
servants there denied all Knowledge Of his pres
enee He finally was found in the Enperial
Summer Garden fashionable promenade aun
consented to talk when convinced that ne was
recognized. He readily admitted MS ldeht',S
with the terrorist Landesen, saying tnaL ~
Aarlv youth he sincerely believed In the prin0i-
pies Of terrorism and. under the name OF Lah-
desen planned with others the ASSASSINATION -
Alexander III in 1890. He 1enied, however tna1
he had betrayed his comrades TO the Frehoh 20
lice as NJ Bourtzef has charged
His ideas changed after he obtained employ
n,ent as a clerk at the embassy at Paris Later
he was transferred to the police service, but
never was an agent prevocateur or traitor. CIT
ing as proof Of this his continued fr1endly reia-
tIons with his old revolutionary aequaintances
He served the Russian government he said. hon
orsbly and faithfully, and his services were
recognized by cornmendstion from high quar-
ters on his retirement.
General Harting was very bitter against
Bourtzen who IL General Harting had not
helped him. according 70 the latter's assertion.
would long ago have perished in a French or
Russian prison. The French government re-
peatedly had proposed TO arrest or expel Bourt
zeff. on such occasions General HartinE had
interposed. and now France was in possession
of evidence that Bourtzef was hand in glove
with the active terrorists. and had again decided
to expeI him.
He talked about the famous government agent
Azef who from a central position In the revolu-
tionist councils had for years kept the govern
nlent informed terrorist plots against the
Emperor and high officials General Hsrting.
who had longer and more intimate relations
with Azef than anybody else. said that Azef
had never PLAYED a double gamA with the gov
eminent or sacrificed the life OF single official
to further his own ends. He asserted that
Bourtzef's charge that Azef had had share in
the assassination of Won Plehvs was absurd.
Azef owed everything TO Won Plehve and sin
cerely loved him
Continuing General Hartins declared that
Azaf was clever hardworking and honest and
had repeatedly risked his life to serve the gov
eminent, and that he was still highly appreci-
ated at ST Petersburg and was rendering valu-
able service at the present time. although in
what capacity he had right to state
During the interview the former police chief
displayed no embarrassment. which perhaps
might have been expected in view OF the charges
lodged against him. He said he was novU za+ha-
ing documentary evidence for the fuu rehabili-
tation OF his character, which would be puh
lished soon, in order 10 justify his retention ~
the honorary Russian title of Councillor Of stare
and his membership in the Legion OF Honor. He
expects 70 reside abroad