Bridgeton pioneer., 1917-02-22
SYSTEM OF SPYING
IN The BIG CITIES
Intelligence Officers" of For
0ign Nations Are Busy.
SEEK SECRET INFORMATION


Other Nations and Make Efforts to
ForestaIl Them-Britsh Spy System
Is the Finest.
Washington is honeycombed with
nests of spies and so are the cities of
New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Bal
timore, Norfolk, New Orleans, Calves
ton, San Francisco and other seaports,
says the Washington Star.
There has been a rather complete
system of espionage in Washington
since the European war began. Here
tofore intelligence officers of the vari-
GUS European governments have been
more occupied in ascertaining the
moves of each other than in ascertain
ing moves of the United States gov
ernment. But it is believed now that
some of this expert attention has been
turned upon Washington activities, al
though, as an intelligence officer of
foreign nation put it:
whats the use? Any possible op-
ponent Of the United States knows all
about this country's affairs that is de-
SlIeu u De huOWu dnynOW!
Little Secrecy In United States.
This remark recalls the fact that
there has been very little secrecy about
United States military affairs in years
gone by, owing to the system of pub
lie hearings and the system of making
public the information in regard to
hearings on military affairs before con-
gressional committees which has been
in vogue in the United States.
Several years ago, when Major Gen.
eral w. w. Wotherspoon, U. S. A., re-
tired, was chief Of the war college,
Japanese prince visited the United
States and was shown through the war
college. Just before his arrival Cen
eral WOtherspoOn was showing friend
through the building and pointing out
some of the systems in use, which, he
said, he proposed showing the prince.
General Wotherspoon's friend ex-
pressed surprise that such entirely
complete courtesies should be placed
at the disposal of the distinguished Wis.,
itor. General Wotherspoon replied:
"Oh, well, the prince will know all
about this anyhow before he gets here.
The Japanese have pretty good intel
ligence system
Queer Happenings In Washington.
Queer things, however, have been
happening in Washington the past few
days. Splendid looking limousines Of a
character not used by ordinary mes
sengers have been seen standing in
numbers before the doors of European
embassies as early as 6 o'clock in the
morning, when the ordinary worker in
Washington has hardly turned over for
his last nap. Queer things also have
been happening in connection with the
use Of the long distance telephones.
These have come under the notice of
observing persons. who have readily
understood that the intelligence officers
of various nations could give an ex-
PLANTATION of them if they wanted to do
so. 1t is proper to add, perhaps, that
such explanations might be forthcom-
ing from the department Of investiga-
ton of the department of justice of the
United States too.
The British intelligence system is be-
lieved to be the finest thing of it's
kind ever put into operation in the
world. 1t is known to be in charge of
Captain Guy Gaunt, r. N, the young
est captain In the British navy, an Aus
tralian, who is as much at home in the
country houses of Long Island as he is
in Washington. Captain Gaunt is de-
scribed by those who know him as the
ideal of the romantic type Of modern
intelligence officer, a man Of indom-
table energy, to whom could possibly
be applied the old fashioned detective
phrase, HE never sleeps"
Great Britain is watching out for the
intelligence system for the allies on
the eastern coast of the United States,
and Japan is watching out on the west
ern coast.
There Is now new officer in charge
of the German intelligence system in
the United States. He makes his head
quarters in the office of big German
steamship company, fact well known
to the allied intelligence officers. The
German system, however is said to
have met with some reverses recently.
Cogs in the machinery have slipped,
and it is said that the German system
Is not accomplishing as much as it did
at the beginning of the war.
Spy's Real Name Disclosed.
When the spy Won der Goltz was ar
rested in Great Britain while trying to
make his way back to Germany under
a false name and false American
passport he was confronted in Great
Britain with his real name. which is
Wachtermann. name, it was said
that has not up to this time been
known even to the department of JUS
tice He heard it pronounced for the
first time since he left Germany years
before. Won der Goltz, it will be re
called, was known as Bridgman Taylor
Listening in" on telephones, on wire
less, the hunting for tips and clews tc
codes, is going on all over Washington