$Unique_ID{how04681}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{True Stories Of The Great War
IX - Exposure Of The 'Lonely Soldier' Trick}
$Subtitle{}
$Author{Anonymous}
$Affiliation{}
$Subject{
}
$Date{1917}
$Log{}
Title:       True Stories Of The Great War
Book:        Secret Stories Of The German Spy In France
Author:      Anonymous
Date:        1917
Translation: McPerson, William L.

IX - Exposure Of The "Lonely Soldier" Trick

     Among the multitudinous means employed by German female agents in France
is the insertion of small advertisements in the Parisian papers proposing an
exchange of correspondence with British officers at the Front.  Until a stop
was recently put to this practice, as the result of an inquiry at military
headquarters, I frequently saw advertisements of this sort in a daily
published in Paris.  Here is a specimen of one announcement: -

     "Refined Parisian lady wishes to exchange correspondence with cultured
person at the Front, to improve knowledge."

     A few days later the same advertiser varied the wording as follows: -

     "Young Parisian widow, having greatly travelled, wants to exchange
correspondence with cultured officer at the Front."

     In a series of similar advertisements she became "an artist," "an
actress," and "an independent lady." That a large number of "lonely" British
officers were deceived and entered into correspondence with her is certain.
It is satisfactory to be able to say that, through the vigilance of the
authorities, she did not succeed in her object.  A certain foolish young
lieutenant had a narrow escape from falling into her clutches.  He wrote -
quite in good faith - that he would be glad not only to correspond, but also
to meet her when he next came to Paris with his colonel, as he fairly
frequently came to the capital, and put up at the Hotel Continental.
However, very fortunately for him, the meeting never came off, for before the
letter had reached its destination the lady had received her warning and
sailed for the United States.