Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-20
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oeA column. tnen follow the line across the
page until the column is reached at the head of
which stands the right-hand period Of the
numerai COOS. The word thus indicated,
'adonite." is the first word of the message to
be cabled. The second numeral is translated
In like manner. The left-hand period 9, is
found in the index column and the line is
traced across the page to the column headed
with the figures of the right-hand period. O004.
Here we find the word ''aecondate," which is
| taken as the second word of the message. The
cablegram is now completed by the addition Of
the key word. thus:
"Gherardi, Philadelphia, Montevidio,
"Adonite Aecondate Potentate.
SEcSAv."
The signature "Secnav" which stands for
Secretary Of the Navy" is sometimes varied
by the substitution of the Secretary's last
name. "Secnav' is not a cipher word, but is
simply the cable address of the head Of the
Navy Department in the United States.
CHILEAN WAR INCIDENT.
An incident illustrating the cage with which
the cipher code is protected and the necessity
for transmitting important naval intelligence
in cryptogram, occurred during the recent
Chilean war. On the morning of August 20,
1884, rumors became current in Valparaiso
that the revoutionists had sailed down
the coast from Iquiuue and had
effected landing at Quinteros bay. Admiral
Brown was at Valparaiso with the San Fran
CISCO, anu III OTueT 10 verify the report Ne got
up steam, proceeded to Quinteros bay, OBJ
served the landing of the congressionalists and
returned with all speed to Valparaiso. On the
way back he caused a cipher cablegram to be
prepared, advising the Secretary of the Navy
of what he had seen. This cipher dispatch was
written by Lieut.. Dyer. Admiral Browns flag
officer Here is the text exactly as it was pre-
scented to Admiral Viel, the intendente of VAL
paraiso, for his wise in order that it might be
transmitted by the cable company:
VALPARAISO, August 20, 1891.
''Secnav. Washington:
"Abridero inhective cintarajo arbollon
redemised laufwerk sboletand inescabam
porpiosero overlooked abarloais garrucha.
BRowN."
As soon as this dispatch was received in
Washington the department issued the follow
ing statement to the press:
Admiral Brown reports the landing Of 5000
men at Quinteros bay, twenty miles north of
Valparaiso. The government forces are con-
centrating to oppose any advance"
This raraphrase Of Admiral Browns message
answered every practical purpose. but it would
afford no clue TO the meaning of the curious
words of which the cryptogram is composed.
In transmitting his dispatch in cipher Ad-
miral Brown guarded against the possibility of
furnishing information to the Balmacedau
party in Valparaiso. for he knew that Admiral
Viel would doubtless consider himself justified
In taking advantage of any news that might be
partment. Lieut.. Dyer. however, was not SO
discreet. He was at that time corresponding
for New York newspaper, and when he pre-
sented Admiral Browns cipher cablegran for
Tue intehueh.e wise ne also Produceu Ihe ioi-
~ - y. -. 80 LIZ
carefully.
"Insurgents landed morning. Ouinteros.
eight Transports three tu-s, four warships
About 5000. Government cent forces Battle
imminent Admiral Brown saw landing Flag
ship San Francisco, Baltimore, Valparaiso.
Esmeralda off harbor Quiet here"
When Secretary Tracy was advised that iufor-
nation of the landing of the insurgents at Ouiu-
teros bav had been communicated to the Chilean
officers in Valparaiso bv some one on board the
San Francisco he cabled Admiral Brown as fol-
lows:
on return ON that occasion TO VaIparaiso Chile
communicate information about what YOU saw
to any person not connected with your vessel?"
>, Adnlrai Brown knew notning OF the private
oSPa'cn sen. os LIS nas heulenant, 30 ne
promptly repheo:
NO one from this snip gave ihlormauon
The Secretary subsequently learned all the
facts. but he decided that the information con-
talheo IA Lieut.. Overs oispa.ch mad already
reached the ehiiesn ADMIRAL through other
chahneis peiore ne Fiseu me capiegram. Inc
ineioent demonstrates clearly, however. the
hvOoeo'. III eouini''ihs W icNaoAe ciPueF
All inPoran. communications that may pass
pet~een me navy departments and the COM
manoers OF our ships on foreign stations.
THE TRANSLATION OF CIPHER MASSAGE.
The translation Of a long cipher cableeram
ia no small task Fven in the hands of .,n.r.s
-. m -
Np' WIZ sumo 'itiio' require
several hours for It's unravei'ng; An error In
TRANSMISSION adds much TO ths di;hculty OF the
fafHlauoh, ana III Is sometimes necessary TO
nave the caoie company repeat the entire
message, though the construction OF the
walker cooe Is specially designed 10 obvlate
such errors. Inc WORK OF ceclphsrlng cable
grams Is Generaily lntrusted TO one or two
young oihSers on uuty IN the bureau OF navi-
CATION, ana they alone nave access TO the two
1eaIher-pounu 'oiunies that constitute the Key.
THE STATE DEPARTMENT CIPHER
Nh Ga. D. -,
iHo '"',0 pa 'iiion' .ip"et' which Is
very SIMPLE anair compared win the Walker
code, Is also in the possession of the Navy
Department. AMI messages received by the Sec
retary of State are sometimes sent over to the
Navy DEPARTMENT for unrayeling. though the
State Department EXPERTS usually attend TO this
work
In making public the contents of cipher dis
patche. the State Department also paranhrases
them to prevent comparison with the originals
Though the code is by no means as complex as
that employed by the Navy Department. trans
lations are guarded against by certain arbitrary
changes which can be made in the use of he
/