SILENT AND SURE.

Taihape Daily Times, 28 January 1918, Page 6

SILENT AND SURE.

HOW A PACIFICIST WAS CAUGHT

a German agent, arrested in the United States, who found that every movement he had made for several weeks was known to the Secret Service exclaimed bitterly, "This is worse than Russia." He was right—from his point of view writes Hamilton Fyfe in the Daily Mail* Our point of view is different. For the allies the American Secret Service is better than that of Russia—the "Ochrana" beloved by sensational novelists—ever was. It is far more energetic. It e is more intelligent. And it cannot be bribed. The head of it—Mr. Bielaski, a Pole by origin—was asked one day how it had discovered so much about German plotting both befolre £ndt after the United States was at war. Not a week passes without some fresh revelation. Mr. Bielaski said drily. "We work without a brass band."

This Secret Service is secret. Its agents are eveyrwhere. Not a pleasant feeling, even if you have nothing to .conceal, that eyes may be watching, may all be noted down. For those who you, that your goings and comings in are plotting and spying a very uncomfortable feeling indeed! Here is an example of the method of -working "without a brass band." A pacifist was arrested. He had been talking in a train. When he got out a man followed him and took him into custody. "But why?" the pacifist inquired, putting a bold face on it. "You have just been making a speech in the car," the Secret Service man replied quietly: "Well, what of it?" hTs prey blustered. "You have been making that speech vl number of times. You made it in the train from B—to M—last Thursday; you made it again the next day between P— and F— Twice this week I have heard it before to-day." "But I don't remember your face," the pacifist faltered, unable to deny.

NETWORK OF SURVEILLANCE. Once a suspect comes under the notice of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation he is surrounded by an ingenious and imperceptible network of surveillance. • Mr, Bielaski's agents gr 3 about hi 3 path and about his bed. iiiey''b'py out all his ways. "Shadowing" is an art which has been raised to a very high degree of nicety in the United States.

Bielaski is an interesting character, lie is not in the least like the detecttivc chiefs of fiction. He is known as a "crank on exercise." He -works in his garden before breakfast or takes a long walk in the pleasant country round Washington. He has been devotee of hard physical training for many years. Now, at thirty-five, he is a model of fitness.

Ons day a visitor with a grievance began to talk loudly about what he would do to Bielaski if he were not in his office. Bielaski stood up. "Don't let that worry you," he said politely. The angry one looked at his broad shoulders and taut figure—and bade him good day. "Übique" (Everywhere) might be the motto of the United States Secret Service as it is of the Royal Artillery. And its übiquity is so unobstrusive. The local ddtectives usually have their calling stamped all over them. The Federal Force is never noticeable I know men belonging to it who pass in all companies, without remark. Their clothes are well cut, their manners well bred. As soon as a detective becomes known, through carelessness or boasting, Bielaski has no further

use for him

That is why the American Secret Service has found out so much.