The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1917-04-12
Valiant Little Band of Patriots
About Whose Achievements
Little Is Known.
means HEROISM UNUEQUITED
Government Agents Live Lives That
for Adventure and Daring Deeds
Make "Best Seller" Look Like
furnished Imitation.

New York.-Coincident with the
discovery of the Zimmerman note,
which disclosed the far-reaching plans
of Germany to foment trouble in every
part of the globe, and the subsequent
refusal Of Secretary Of State Lansing
to disclose how the note was obtained,
because it would "endanger lives"
comes a brief press dispatch from
Juarez, Mex, announcing the theft Of
important papers" from the German
consulate there.
To the average reader the Juarez
dispatch may seem unimportant, yet
In all probability it is merely another
known achievements of our valiant lit
tie band Of patriots who throughout
the entire world are always on the
alert in the interest of our country,
yet who in time of danger cannot call
ON us for aid.
This little band of men, who are
known only to the state department,
and whose names appear in the Sc
cret archives Of the United States as
GAIL" or "C-2175," live lives that for
adventure and heroism make the av-
erage "best seller" hero look like q
furnished imitation.
So little is known by the general
public Of the secret agents of our gov
eminent that to the average person
1t seems probable no such body Of men
ted Ac Of
majority of the citizens of the country
seem to think the secret service, which
in reality Is attached to the treasury
department, is entrusted with diplo-
| matte work of the underground" or
der. This, however, Is not the case.
Although it is the duty of the secret
service and department of justice OPP
eratives to run down plots of different
kinds that are brewing almost continu-
ally within the confines of our own bOr-
ders, they seldom are sent out Of the
country.
Busy in All Lands.
In far off Russia, in China, Japan,
Germany, France, England, South
America, and, in fact, every inhabited
part Of the globe, there fits the Dip
lomatic phantom, the "secret agent"
How many times he has intercepted
Just such documents as the thinner
mann note will probably never be
known outside of diplomatic circles,
but this particular feat is a good ex-
ample Of the work done by these
"watchdogs of the mist" Using fic-
titious names and numbers, / will out
line their work.
When the war broke out in Europe,
broke with all the suddenneSs of a
furious thunderstorm, it was no sur
prise to those engaged in the great
game of lodging DEATH" In Berlin
dapper youth of decided Teutonic
appearance, listed under our own BAN
ner as "B-45," was fully alive to what
was doing.
On the Russian border Ivan Mus
covitz, whose reports were signed with
another number and letter, straight
way informed Washington of the Rus
sian preparations, while in France and
England Andre LIE Rene and Cyril
rockingham, respectively, reported
the doings of these two great nations.
The youth of Teutonic appearance
is killed by a taxicab. Plainly an &C.
cident, you would say If you had wit
messed the incident, yet the taxicab
had followed the Teutonic youth many
blocks and was in all probability driv-
en- by a decrepit old chauffeur, who
is known to Wilhelmstrasse as X-997,-
6S1. and who had received notification
of the Teutonic youths activity in the
vicinity of some district of military i'm
portance.
So died the Teutonic youth. On the
register at Washington ''B-45" is
crossed off as dead and 'B X" rushes
from Dresden to take his place. The
Teutonic youth is an American, born
and raised, fighting to protect his coun-
try. but, even knowing that his life
IS in continual danger, he can make