New-York tribune., 1918-08-20
"a Soldier Named Chalron''

This is little tale of Chanron, first
name unknown, referred to many months
ago in news dispatches from Paris as
"a soldier named Chanron," who had
been arrested and cast into prison for
an offence not clearly stated. We do not
know where Chanron now is or whether
he lives. The point of the tale is to show
how deeply disguised, how wonderfully
rooted, how invisibly dangerous and how
secure for a time organized disloyalty
may be. You never can tell where it
will make it's corrupting contacts. In
France 1T is supposed to have reached
Joseph Caillaux, former Primo Min
lister, now in prison awaiting trial. On
its way to his case the French govern
ment has shot two disloyal editors, was
anticipated by a third, who killed him
self, and has banished from the country
Louis j. Malvy, formerly Minister of the
Interior, who by virtue of his office
should have been jealous in the work of
suppressing sedition and searching out
traitors. This brings us back to
Chanron.
When the war began Chanron was in
Brussels. And when the German hordes
swept through Belgium he was taken
prisoner and sentenced to death. He es-
capped and reached Holland. From Rot
terdam, on August 27, 1915, he wrote a
letter to the French Minister of the In
terror, M. Malvy, saying:
"My duty as an ardent patriot in all
circumstances and at all times commands
me to make known to you, even before
my arrival in France, that from au-
thentic sources in Belgium learned that
a certain Bolo, who, it appears, is we'll
known in Paris, was a big chief in the
German espionage system 1t appears
that Bolo has on his side numerous
French personages whom he was able to
buy over for a lot of money. These per-
sons are highly placed magistrates, po-
lltical personages and functionaries at
the Prefecture of Police. To my mind
1t appears necessary to put these people
under strict surveillance in order to as
certain if the facts are as stated. for
they appear to me to be so Infamous that
] can hardly believe them. AS soon as
l arrive in Paris I shall ask you for an
interview, in which l will give you fuller
details and at the same time give YOU
the source Of my information and the
names of the important personages who
gave that information to me. Even now
can tell you that these important per
sons are Belgians and that they have a
great love for our dear country"
Chanron arrived in France shortly
after his letter was read by the Minister
of the Interior. The moment he touched
French soil he was placed under arrest
as spy This was not by mistake. He
was kept in Jail for more than wear.
He was in prison with the knowledge and
consent of M. Malvy, while Bolo Pacha
came to this country to advise with Will
lam Randolph Hearst about news print
paper and with Count Won Bernstorff
about reptile fund to be used in
krance. Chanron was in prison while
f5elo was eulogizing Hearst in LIE Jour-
IYs0l which he purchased from Senator
HuTlbert with German gold received in
this city from Count Won Bernstorf.
For denouncing Bolo Pacha and his
ring, which included Minister Of the
Interior and former Premier, "a SOL
dler named Chanron' was imprisoned
as spy. Yet it all came out true in the
end. So it will everywhere else.