Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-06-21
THE NAVAL INTELLIGENCE OFFICE.
The Operations Of a New Branch of
the Department..

THE LINTELLIGENCE OFFICE.
The Operations Of a New Branch of
the Department.
COLLECTING INFORMATION THAT WOULD BE USE
fUL IN CASE OF wAR-INTELLIGENCE ABOUT
coALING STATIONS DRY DOCKS &c.-PUBLICA-
TIoNs ISSUED BIT THE OFFICE
While powerful and thoroughly equipped
navy would be most potent in affording protec-
ton from foreign foe, it is thought that the
next best thing is to make preparations In time
OF peace, by becoming familiar with the strength
or weakness of foreign nations, SO that the best
use possible can be made OF our own resources
in case of necessity. This, at present, is the
policy of the Navy department. With this
OBJECT there was established two years
ago In the department the Office Of
naval intelligence. which bids fair to become, in
TACT is already an important adjunct to the sys-
tenn of naval administration. The objects of
this Office are, first the collection, sitting and
arrangement Of all information required by gov
ernments aud naval authorities to enable them
TO take such measures in peace as will insure
the rapid commencement and vigorous prosecu-
ton of any war, whether at home or abroad;
and, secondly. the diffusion of necessary or use
ful naval information through the navy and the
country during peace or war 1t has always
been acknowledged that success in war depends
largely upon knowledge of the enemys re-
sources.
The chief aim of the office of naval intelli-
gence is to obtain that knowledge, and the vast
amount OF Information, varied and valuable,
winch passes into the Office through different
channels is surprising. While always bearing
In mind the principal object the varied informa-
ton gained is preserved, and so arranged as to
form several subdivisions or branches in the
ONCE, which have already proved invaluable in
! the every day workings of the department.
PUBLICATIONS ISSUED.
number of publications have been made
by the office under the heads Of the war series
and the general information series. In the first
the publications are ''The operations Of the
French navy during the recent war with Tunls,
1881" translated from "L'Aunee Maratime," by
Lieut.. NJ. Fisher Wright. 'The war on the Pa
cifc coast Of South America, between Chill and
the allied republics Of Peru and Bolivia, 1879
81. by Lieut.. T. B. NJ. Mason; and the report
OF the British naval and military operations In
Egypt, 1882, by Lieut.. Commander Caspar F.
Goodrich. "The operations Of the French
forces in Tonquin," by Lieut.. s. A. Stanton
and The operations of the French in Madagas-
car. 6y Ensign w. l. Chambers are in prepara-
ton. Under the General Information series there
are observations upon the Korean Coast. JAP
anese Korean ports and Siberia, made during a
Journey from the Asiatic Station to the United
States, through Siberia and Europe. 1882" by
Lieut.. B. H. Buckingham and Ensicns Geo. G.
Foulk and Walter Mclean and i" Reports on the
Exhibits at the Crystal Palace Electrical Exhibi-
tion OF 1882" by Ensign F. J. Sprague "Ex-
amples. Conclusions and MaXims of Modern
Naval Tactics" by Commander W. B. Hof is in
preparation Besides the above original works.
the Office has published number of important
TRANSACTIONS, such as Personnel and Duty in
the Royal Navy" from the French, and s'Ex-
tracts from the Report of the Permanent Com
mittee on Experiments with Forty-eight- Cent?
metre Armor Plates,'' and Promotions in the
Navy In Foreign Services" by Lieut.. A. G.
Berry," "The Use of Artillery in Coast De-
fense.' and Prevention of Collisions at Sea-"
by Ensign Chas. c. Rogers and 1.-THE History of
the Italian Navy" by Ensign W. 1. Chambers.
THE OFFICERS IN CHARGE.
The entire work Of the Office is performed by
naval officers, who are selected for their especial
fitness for the duties assigned them The Off
Ger In charge Of this Office is Lieut.. T. B. NJ
Mason. well-known and prominent figure In
Washington social life. His assistants are Lieut.
VIM. H. briggs Lieut.. ]. 8. Abbott. Lieut. G.
W. Mentz, Lieut. s. A. Stanton. Ensign T. NJ.
Potts and Passed Assistant Engineer j. p g.
Lawrence
The sources Of information are the naval Off
GERS 0nforeign stations the u consular officials
and foreign magazines and publications of every
| sort All OF the reports of commanding officers
|
ferred about the department from one bureau
to another. as formerly, now come direct to the
office of naval intelligence, and the information
contained in them is collated in such manner
that 1t is available at any time.
AID FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT.
Some time ago circulars were sent out through
the State department to consuls and consular
agents containing series of questions as to the
amount Kinds and cost Of coal at their respect
i've ports. and the facilities for repairing vessels,
&c These officials were very prompt in reply
ing. and their answers were generally very sat
isfactory. 1t Is intended to publish book for
each OF the naval stations. containing informa-
tlOn upon the subject regarding all the ports in
that station. In the meantime a chart of the
world has been prepared which will tell at a
glance just what facilities for coaling or repair
ing. in making any cruise, can be expected An
open circle at port indicates that coal to an
amount less than thousand tons can be pro-
cured there. closed circle indicates more
than thousand TONS A bar extending to the
circle means that there repairing facilities at
that port. A cross bar running through the
circle means that there is a DIV dock there
You see," said one of the officers to a STAR
reporter, "a commanding officer about to make
a voyage can. by glancing at this map make all
his calculations for coalng or repairing if ne
cessary The commander of the Osspee. which
recently sailed for China through the Medjter-
along his proposed course, saw at once lust
where he should touch for coal or forrepairs if
necessary. The books on the subject, which are
TO be printed, will, of course, give much fuller
and more definite informatIOn.''
FOREIGN NAvIEs.
Another division Of the office embraces in
formation of the most detailed character con-
corning foreign naves. Besides keeping posted
upon the naval forces of other countries a de-
tailed description and the plans of every vessel
that is built or being built are preserved, par
ticular attention being paid to any pecularities
which would assist in identifying the vessels
when seen at sea, as well as any vulnerable
points about them Large tables are prepared
and kept posted up to date, containing ali this
Information according to nationalities. The
plans OF vessels which are preserved are inyalu-
able and have alaeady materially assisted the
naval advisory board In deyising plans for new
vessels for our navy
Still another division Of the office relates I'd
Geographic communication. Charts are prepared
showing the course taken by every cable, which
Is laid In foreign waters. with any particulars
which might be desirable. For instance, the
depth OF the cable is always designated in the
chart at given points SO that in case 1t should
become necessary for this country to break tel
egraphic communication, 1t could be learned at
a glance just at what point the cable in ques-
ton would be most accessible.
Then there is q division which Of opfir