Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-04-21

ned out on paper in every detail. On its
plans Germany is divided I'D into a certain
number Of sections. It is positively known
how many troops each section would SUBJ
sist. Facts are set down as to the condi-
ton Of all roads and bridges II 1t were
necessary to march a large army at short
notice through any part of the country, or
show all the facilities of travel and exactly
what each district would be able to con-
tribute in the shape of supplies. Thus, it
would be known beforehand what would
nave to be done to meet every conceivable
contingency. The location of every soldier
every gun and every pound of ammunition
being recorded. the mobilization of millions
OF men could be accomplished in an as
tonishingly short space Of time.
Such Information would have been Of in
calculable value to the United States at the
outbreak OF the civil war. When that event
occurred this government did not know
where to look for anything. Uncle Sam did
rot know where to find ammunition, cloth
Ing. or any sort Of raw material. He had
only few arsenals. some Of which were al
ready seized by the enemy. Months Of prec-
fous time had to be spent in collecting ma
terial and in making fair start. Such
facts as those mentioned are most import
ant not only to facilitate operations in our
own country, but to prevent an enemy from
marching In. So far as foreign nations are
concerned, we do not want keys to their
fortified positions and their torpedo sys-
TENS, etc. The possibility Of our invading
their territory Is too remote. But, If any
one of them has an improved gun or bet
ter powder, we ought to have it. An such
matters as these are well worth studying
by properly paid agents abroad.
How 1t f. Done ina Europe.
Circumstances ore very different in
Europe. The great general staff of the
German army tries to secure every possible
bit of information about neighboring coun-
tries. 1t knows the best and quickest route
to every city IN territory that might be
hostile. Data are set down as to the source
whence that city gets its water supply, and
as to how the latter might be most easily
cut off. All available facts. are obtained as
to the numerical strength Of other armies,
the arms they carry, the nature OF their
organizations and their tactics. Each nation
has Its own way OF fighting. Our
own cavalry. for instance. fights dis
mounted. deployiag as infantry. 1t en-
ploys the revolver to considerable extent
q weapon.
We have no mounted artillery. such as
they have abroad In foreign services
every gunner is on horseback usually. Here
We mount cur gunners on the caisson of
the gun-carrtage, thus making as much
more weight to pull. Some nations still
use the lance. Germany has great con-
f1dence in II as weapon, making 1t of
| hollow steel. though France has discarded
it, The sword or saber. which still sur
wives as cavalry weapon, is likely to be
DISPENSED with before long. To WELD it
with effect on horseback requires a strong
and skilled arm. Many horses have lost
their ears by ill-aimed sword-strokes de-
livered by their riders. A most important
matter In future wars will be the supplying
of ammunition to the firing line. Repeat
ing rifles and guns which throw showers of
bullets require immense quantities of cart
ridges. 1t will be a great point in tactics
nv Ha Ion, 90
enemy, and to destroy the smali-arms
ammunition columns.
Not ms q Detective.
Some people suppose that military at
tache is expected to employ all sorts Of de-
vious ways Of obtaining information, the
only requirement being that he shall not be
found out. This is absolutely incorrect. The
harboring Of such agents of foreign govern
ments Is a manifestation Of q friendly in
ternational spirit, and a betrayal of the con-
f1dence thus given would be regarded as
highly dishonorable. The army officer dele
gated for such duty performs 1t openly and
above board. He makes no attempt to get
at secrets The facts which he may gather
legitimately are sufficiently varied and val
liable. Recently Uncle Sam wanted to
know how the widows Of soldiers were pen
stoned abroad. Through the attaches it
was ascertained that they were better pro-
vided for over there than they are here, ex-
cepting the relicts of high officers, who are
most literally treated by our own govern
ment.
The duties Of our naval attaches abroad
correspond to those of the military attaches.
They gather Information OF all sorts about
naval matters. Though each of them gets
a special allowance of 500 a month in ad-
dition to his pay, his total remuneration Is
less than that of a military attache The
pay of the United States navy Is much less
than that OF the army, though no reason
for the difference exists, save such as may
be found in the inscrutable wisdom Of Con-
gress. Foreign governments give to each
or their attaches, as a rule, a contingent
fund Of 5000 a year for entertaining and
other expenses. With them the appoint
ment Of attaches carries with 1. a high
ton. Their accounts are never questioned.
and in all respects they are treated In ac-
cordance with the dignity Of the positions
they hold as REPRESENTATIVES Of the military