The Portland daily press., 1895-07-16
M TO GATHER INFORMATION,
The Government to Prepare For ANY Pos
sibilities That Might Arise With Our
Neighbors at the North.

Washington, July 15-The War Depart.
ment is about to make third attempt to
learn something of the Typographical and
geographical situation in Canada with a
view to preparing to meet certain situa-
tlons which may be presented should
Great Britain attempt to invade the
| United States from the Canadian frontier
Ii the two countries ever come to war,
Canada will be most probably the base of
operations for the British troops, and it
is proposed to gather data showing the
exact stragetical Importance of certain
points in the dominion which would be
selected by Great Britain as the base of
operations.
Three months ago the Secretary of War
| detailed an officer to go to Canada for
thls purpose, and he had just begun to
gather information when an old admiral
or the navy, whose daughter he had
married, gave away the fact that an
officer was in Canada on a government
mission, and the result was that the
| olhcer was recalled for fear that his
identity would be known to the Canadian
| officials
| Later second detail was made and this
affair was promptly frustrated through
some friends who mentioned the fact that
he had been chosen to study the fortifica-
tlons and military strength of Canada.
Inc war department. has now detailed
third officer, who will shortly be on his
way to Canada, and it is believed that he
| Will succeed in reaching there without
| the intent of his visit being known.
The officer will travel incognito and
no one outside the War Department
officials will know the purpose of his
visit. The result of his Investigations
full particulars of the situations which
would be presented on the northern
frontier, should the United States and
Great Britain again come to blows
1t is the purpose of the War Departments
to greatly increase the value of the bureau
OF Information in other directions. Mill
tary attaches abroad are to be instructed
to be more alert and to keep the authori-
ties here informed of everything relative
to progress in military matters.
- Great caution is to be observed in pre-
venting attaches of other governments
from securing information regarding the
proposed strength of the principal coast
wise cities and the location of the main
| batteries and submarine mines.
| For years at every important mortar or
gun test at Sandy Hook representatives
of foreign governments have watched
every trial and have reported results to
! their home offices.
| 1t is understood here that practically
every European government knows of the
proposed sites for submarine mines to
| blockade channels to the leading cities
on the coast, and have much other
valuable data bearing on our coast de-
| fenses and Notifications.
Unusual facilities have also been given
naval attaches to keep their governments
advised of every advance made here in
armor manufacturing and in ship con-
struction. Until recently every arm or
trial at Indian Head was attended by
some representative of a foreign power,
but within the last few months Secretary
Herbert has issued instructions that here
| after no one except United States officers
shall be present when the heavy armor
plates are tested
. Foreign attaches at Washington have
but little trouble in finding out all that
is going on relative to military and naval
matters, butsit is only after the greatest
difficulty that the United States attach
es abroad secure information which is of
any real value.
/ They are seldom invited to armor tests
or trials OF great sguns. and have Inc
means of finding out the naturet of the
land Notifications, while here everything
is practically open to the inspection of
foreigners.
The war department proposes to be
more particular hereafter in concealing
it's plan relative to harbor defenses, and
it is doubtful if military attaches will in
the future obtain any data which will
be of much real value to their govern
ments.
The defences of this city are being care
fully guarded from public notice No one
is permitted to land at the new fortifca-
tions save government officials Sub
marine mines have been established, but
no one knows exactly where except those
connected with the war department..
The same will apply to Sandy Hook,
and the courtesies hereafter extended to
military attaches will be scant compared
to the liberal treatment they have hereto
| fore received.