The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-11-08

observed to prevent Canadian officials
becoming aware of the proposed visits of
officers specially detailed for the purpose
but SO tar two attempts to get officers over
the border have been frustrated by COM
munlcatlve persons connected with the
officers families. The first attempt was
made about three months ago, when an
officer was assigned and started for Can
ada. He had hardly got well On his way
before his name was published and the
department was compelled to recall him.
Later another attempt was made, and
this time some otficious old officer
gave the secret away and the War
department. came near being caught
spying on the military works of friendly
power. This time, however, it is believed
the attempt will be successful. An officer
Is now on his way to Canada and will
travel lncognito, and it is not believed his
identify Will become known to the Cana
dams; but If it should disagreeable embar-
easements may follow between Canada and
the United States. Canada, of course,
would be of the utmost Importance to
Great Britain strategetically should she
again attempt TO conquer this country,
writes the Washington correspondent of
the New York Sun.
Little is known here of the defenses or
the strategic Importance of the different
cities or localities, or even of the topo-
graphical features of the Dominion. 1t
will be the purpose of the newly detailed
officer to find out all these things and to
embrace his information in detailed re-
port TO the War Department.. 1t is sub
lect OF well-known comment that great ia
cllltles have been given foreign army and
naval attaches to gather data in this coun-
try relative not only to our advances in mil
ltary and naval matters, but they also have
come into possession of the plans for many
of our harbor defenses. This has been due
to an unnecessary and uncalled-fcr willing
ness on the part of the officials to be ac-
commodating and assist these agents of
foreign Governments to secure informa-
ton which should never have been given
them.
Secretary Herbert soon found it out and
at once put stop to courtesies being ex-
tended the naval attaches. For years thew
were invited to every army test of import
ance, and were permitted to take photo
graphs and drawings of the damaged
plates, and to benefit by every experiment
made by the Government, The results
have been that foreign powers have long
since put an end to armor tests, and have
relied in the main upon those of this coun-
try Tor new points In the development of
heavy armor.
The plans of most of our great battle
ships have also been forwarded to foreign
powers through their agents in Washing
ton, and 1t is safe to assert that but little
mas Deen done IN the way of either military
or naval progress in late years that other
nations have not become thoroughly well
advised of. The treatment accorded for
eign attaches here is directly in con-
travention to that which our representa-
tives receive abroad. Few of the United
States agents secure any really valuable
information on military progress, owing
to the espionage placed on it. Foreigners
have not only acquired knowledge OF our
military and naval purposes, but have also
secured charts of most of the BAYS and
rivers leading to our coastwise cities. The
great seaport towns could be navigated, it
is asserted, in time of war by foreign war
ships with the same facility as our own
vessels now enter them. The facts, as
above presented, have come to the atten-
ton of the authorities, and the subject has
received their grave consideration. No
more naval attaches will witness our tests
at Indian Head, nor except upon very rare
occasions will army attaches be permitted
to visit Sandy Hook or other sites for the
Notifications of the great commercial sea-
board cities.
A new and remarkable industry, that of
the artificial propagation of alligators for
supplying the trade in Florida curiosities,
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