Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-12-21
WARN AGAINST WILE
OF FEMININE SPIES
Seductiveness of Wo m e n
Agents Subject of Instruc-
tions to Sammees
WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN

WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN
FRANCE, Dec. 81.
The seductive wles of beautiful women
spies Is made the subject of special
warning In circular card issued to
every officer and soldier in France by
an adjutsnt general at the command OF
General Pershing. Specific instructions
are given regarding what not to write
and say in public.
Under the heading Ia large type.
Don't talk too much appears the
following:
"Never forget We are at war with an
enemy that Is always listening. Always
look with suspicion on strangers. Never
tell anything of II confidential nature 10
women, as women are the NEST success
ful Of all spies
This word of caution was issued be-
cause it has been the experience of every
nation at war that women and girls find
IL easier TO extract military secrets be.
cause the average soldier while regard
ing auestioners with suspicion. fails to
comprehend the extent to which the on
emy is using attractive girls.
The warning continues;
"Re suspicious of any one who asks
questions of military nature, or APP
ne lrs unduly Interested In military in
for,nation even though he may appear
10 I've an American officer. Don't offe'
unsolicited information. You have nc
right 10 tell any one where any unit IL
or what military information comes into
your possession unless it Is your otlicia
duty to do so. Any strange man, WON lr
or child or even u man In the uniform
of the American or Allied armies may
be a spy,
"Dont tell him anything you wouldn'
he willing for the enemy to hear. Fol
| similar reason never enter into cCrre'
| spondenct with strangers II is one o
the many schemes used by enemy agents
to gather information
.'On the street or in public places re
member walls have ears.
Don't express your opinion on mill
tarv matters nor the general situation
I BE loyal to your Government and you
superiors. Help them conduct the wa
while you attend TO your own particular
| part in it.
avoid giving any impression of pes
simism In either your conversation o
/ attitude In all ways be confident o
the success Of your armies and on
cause
The cards were issued not only 70
the purpose of laying down regulation
but also 20 explain to the dough boy
/ exactly why it is necessary TO rcstric
their writings and conversation.
The forewOrd says:
"Remember. the enemy has agent
always alert to gather information.
"Details apparently unimportan, ma
be combined with other details gathere
by the enemy and become informatio
of great Importance to him. Don't for
get that news travels SO quickly unde
modern conditions that bits of inform
tion you write home may be in the hand
of the enemy n short time afterward.'
Then follows n list of "Don'ts"
writing letters and postcards barrin
references to localities, movement an
condition of troops losses and the G.
fects of hostile fire.
Don't allow friends at home TO pul
lish your letters in newspapers. Don
put too much faith in the discretion
tie people you write to- They may
very patriotic. yet quite unable to recol
nize an enemy agent or what informatic
may be of value TO the enemyN AboN
all, don't attempt to formulate aIy sy
/, TEN of cipher or code or shorthand
any other means of concealing the trI
meaning of your letters. 1t is the sure
road to court-martial and severe punis
ment.'
: Then follows scctioL- informing II
soldiers what they may write and
whom, inStructing that no commune
tion shall he mad whatsoever with enen
prisoners of war.
Another paragraph instruct; the mt
to carry 10 notebooks, maps or pap
d. containing military information. as tn,
may be stolen by enemy pickpockets
captured.