Adventure, December 1914 — page 223: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

The. Camp-Fire Dutch traitors to the Dutch cause, and again there was another class of spy, or traitor if you will, the renegade from the Boer ranks openly fighting with the British, and assisting their generals by his knowledge of the country and the movements of his people. With these men it was just a case of taking sides against their own country, and there was al- ways some deep reason for their having done so. In one case I knew of personally a Boer led our column for months on the heels of a commando, some members of which had mistreated his wife while he was out of the district with another com- mando, He was a sworn enemy to his own people, because of one of the greatest reasons for hatred. These Dutchmen, serving the British against their own race may have been traitors, but cowards they certainly were not, for their lives were absolutely forfeited if they fell into the hands of the enemy. They ran far greater risks than any Britisher did, and they knew it, and many a desperate race for life have I seen, when a Boer guide, rashly venturing away from the column to glean certain information from a farmhouse, had to ride like a fury from men ne would have taken any risk in order to capture im. : "[ HERE is still another class of spy, the bravest of them all, and though perhaps, by the rules of war, his life is the only expiation of his offense, he, least of all spies, deserves such a fate. This is the man who discards uniform and arms, and enters the enemy’s lines under cover of darkness, or boldly in broad daylight, and stays there as long as it suits his purpose, gathering information which if he suc- ceed in conveying to his general will mean victory. The annals of the American Civil War are replete with instances of such desperate bravery, and in that war many brave men who were captured as spies were shot after scant trial. In the South African campaign both sides had men who entered the enemy’s lines at dead of night to gather infor- mation, and by consummate coolness and bravery managed to escape detection, or defy capture. One particular instance which I have in mind concerns the successful disguise of one of Remington’s Guides as a Zulu voorlooper, or ox-leader, and his deception of the Boers for some weeks, until by accident his identity was betrayed, and only the magnanimity of a general who admired a brave man averted death for him. Speaking generally, in modern warfare the spy is distinguished from a combatant, and his fate is judged accordingly, in this way: The combatant wears the uniform of his side on all occasions, and whether armed or unarmed, within the enemy’s lines, or without, does not disguise his intentions. He may be a lone scout, miles from his command, it makes no difference. He has to fight for his life in every pinch, but once he has surrendered he is treated honorably as a prisoner of war. The spy disguises himself, and abandoning his uniform, and veiling his purpose, takes what is considered an unfair advantage of his enemy, at the same time forfeiting his right to be treated as a combatant. There is no question that his summary execution after capture is permitted by the customs of war, even if not always justified from a humane point of view, but as stated before circumstances may miti- gate his offense, and rarely is a spy shot unless he is a traitor to his own side, or the consequences of his spying are too serious to be regarded leniently. 221 HEE: again, is the brief explanation of our identification-cards. They are offered free of charge to any of you. All we ask is that you comply carefully with the simple directions as they appear below in italics: The cards bear this inscription, printed in English, French, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Dutch, Italian, Ara- bic, Chinese, Russian, and Japanese: ‘“‘In case of death or serious emergency to bearer, address serial number of this card, care of VENTURE, New York, eae A., stating full particulars, and friends will be noti- In our office, under each serial number, will be registered the name of bearer and of one friend, with permanent ad- dress of each. No name appears on the card. Letters will be forwarded to friend, unopened by us. The names and addresses will be treated as confidential by us. We assume no other obligations. Cards not for purposes of business identification. Later, arrangements may perhaps be made for money deposits to cover cable or telegraph notifications. Cards furnished free of charge, provided stamped and ad- dressed envelope accompanies application. Send no applica- tions without the two names and two addresses in full. We re- serve the right to use our own discretion in all matters per- taining to these cards. Later, for the cost of manufacture, we may furnish, in- stead of the above cards, a card or tag of aluminum, proof against heat, water and general wear and tear, for adven- turers when actually in the jungle, desert, etc. A moment’s thought will show the value of this system of card-identification for any one, whether in civilization or out of it. Reraember to furnish stamped and addressed en- velope and to give the two names and addresses in full when applying. He’ about the proposed plan for a Le- gion of Camp-Fire members and ad- venturers in general? An organized fight- ing force, entirely free-footed in time of peace but ready to be mustered into service as one or more units in time of war. The plan was set forth at last month’s Camp- Fire. All interested are asked to come for- ward with advice and plans. HINK over our new department, our “Information Directory,’? and see whether you can add any other sources of information. Read carefully the note mark- ed ‘‘Important.”’ Our thanks are due Algot Lange for his voluntary offer to be of service to those members of the Camp-Fire seeking infor- mation on the Amazon country. Mr. Lange has recently returned from his second long stay in that region. ARTHUR SULLIVANT HOFFMAN. INFORMATION DIRECTORY IMPORTANT: Only items like those below can be printed—standing sources of information. No room on this page to ask or answer specific questions. Recommend no source of information you are not sure of. False informa- tion may cause serious loss, even loss of life. Adventure does its best to make this directory reliable, but assumes no re- sponsibility therefor. For data on the Amazon country write Algot Lange, care Explorers’ Club, 345 Amsterdam Ave., New York City. Replies only if stamped, addressed envelope is enclosed and Co OO C©