Messersmith, G.S.
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University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press
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Recounts experiences with investigating and intelligence agencies; Bible speaks of men being sent out to "spy the land"; from earliest times of recorded history governments have been obliged in their own interest to carry on intelligence and investigating activities; not until early in 20th century did U.S. give serious thought to the necessity of such work; while in Curaçao during World War I discovered German code which led to location of about 60 German agents in U.S.; while in Antwerp as Consul General from 1919 to 1928 had first experience with paid informers; has no respect for paid informer; but some information received in this way is valuable and all governments resort to it; had contact with U.S. Treasury agents who made constant fight against drug traffic to U.S.; found one large supply in shipment of shoes destined for U.S. and another in a shipment of iron beds; Treasury agents also on lookout in Antwerp for diamond smugglers; had collaboration of Belgian officials; found use of censorship in time of war justified and productive, even though occasionally an innocent person may be injured; important thing is how information secured through intelligence and investigating agencies and censorship is used; it must be carefully evaluated and analyzed.