Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-11-27
BY. MRS. +. G. ALLEN. MOLINE.

Jonn Barrett, director general OF the
ran-American union in Washington
was former ambassador TO the Argen- !
une. He il always interested in the
WORK OF the American women and the
nfst meeting OF the woman's commit +
Zee, council Of national defense, was.
oy his cordial invitation. held in the
new and beautiful building Of the Pan
Americans in Washington Mr.. Bar
rett made somewhat alarming state
ment In Chicago a few DAYS ago, on the /
occasion OF his address to the mem
bers OF the Chicago Woman's club. He
plainly stated that this war would be
won or lost just according to the atti-
tude OF the women Of the country.
tAnother responsibility placed upon
the shoulders Of the womeuil Mr.. Bar
rett IN explaining his somewhat harsh
statement, said that the greatest dan
ger facing the country today was the
spy and particularly the female spy
Next TO the spy as menace is the per
son who talks too much.
1t Is not intended to be a reflection
upon the women of America that the
female spy exists and fourishes here.
1t Is merely plain recognition of the
fact that she does exist, undisturbed
and rampant, in every city Of any size
IN the United States The woman spy
is by nature much more effective than
the man. BY her well known blandish-
ments she deeeives the most astute Of
the impressionable members of the
| steruer sex. Her natural intuition and
! quick perception make her a menace
| not to be lightly regarded, The wo-
men who engage in this work have
some grievance, as q rule that is pro-
| tecting them. This government must
/ be put on a success war basis and
( every effort which is made to defeat
/ this supreme necessity is the work
/ OF disloyal person. an alien enemy
| or IAN out-and-out spy These spies.
male or female, aare always paid by
| the enemy. In South America Mr..
! Barrett says there is fund Of at
least $l,000,000 placed by the central
( powers to undermine confidence in the
sincerity Of the United States toward
the people there. A vicious proga ganda
is spread everywhere, undermining
/ faith and confidence in everything
connected with our country The fe-
male spy. with beauty and charm fire.
quently combined spreads few
words here and there. sowing seeds Of
dissension among those who often hold
positions of trust In short time. the
work of preparation in different chan
nels. for the successful completion of
war necessities, received d mysterious
setback. No one quite knows how or
why but the work languishes and is
held back in many ways In Washing
ton the problem is constant menace
Spies are everywhere-i the hotels
among the waters especially. where
much valuable information Is picked
up for the enemy Handsome women
Of mysterious antecedents are honey
combing the capital, posing as mem
bers Of we'll known families They are
in the pay Of Germany, the creates
enemy of civilization in the world TO-
, day. The SOY both male and female
is to he dreaded and summed like q
, postilence
, The second menace to the success o.
, this war is the alker Americans are
particularly 7pen-natured and hon
! est lot, and il is indeed hard to sus
pect everyone you meet But YOU mal
, he talking to an indiscreet friend, ol